Munster blow as Oli Jager faces possible knee surgery

Munster's bad luck with injuries this season is showing no signs of letting up, with Oli Jager and Fineen Wycherley facing potential knee surgeries.

Jager, who made his Ireland debut in their Guinness Six Nations win against Wales last month, has been carrying a knee injury in recent weeks and will see a specialist in the coming days to determine whether or not he needs an operation.

The tighthead prop, who joined from the Crusaders in December, has already seen his gametime for Munster punctuated by a concussion layoff, as well as his involvement with Ireland.

Wycherley is also set to be assessed for a possible knee operation this week.

In better news, head coach Graham Rowntree is set to welcome back John Hodnett, Jack O'Donoghue and Simon Zebo this week, ahead of Friday's away meeting with the Ospreys.

Hodnett has been sidelined since mid-January with a finger injury, while Zebo has been out with a knee injury.

O'Donoghue, meanwhile, has recovered sooner than expected from the knee injury he suffered against Connacht on New Year's Day, and is back in full training this week.

Centre Alex Nankivell is a doubt for Friday's trip to Swansea, with the New Zealander following the return to play protocols following a concussion in training.

Meanwhile, Craig Casey and Jeremy Loughman are both available for selection, after returning to the province from Ireland's Guinness Six Nations celebrations.

Watch a URC double-header, Connacht v Emirates Lions (5.15pm) and Zebre v Leinster (7.35pm), on Saturday from 4.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.