Munster hopeful O'Mahony will shake off ankle injury

Munster say Peter O'Mahony will return to training later this week, with the captain nursing an ankle injury sustained in Sunday's defeat to Dragons in Newport.

O'Mahony suffered the injury when he landed awkwardly at a lineout in the 67th minute of Sunday's 23-17 loss, but played on until full time.

The province welcome Zebre Parma to Cork this Saturday (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player) for their opening home game of the season, still looking for their first win under head coach Graham Rowntree.

Munster say O'Mahony "is expected to return to training later this week", while Keith Earls seems unlikely to be available due to a hamstring injury.

Earls, who began his 15th season with the province last Sunday, suffered the knock in the early stages of the game in Newport, with Munster adding that he will be further assessed.

Alex Kendellen has been ruled out of the game as he begins the return-to-play protocols for a concussion, although he had already been in line to miss the game against Zebre, on account of the Emerging Ireland tour of South Africa.

Jean Kleyn is also undergoing the return-to-play protocols, but Rory Scannell is in contention to return, having suffered a facial injury last week.

Gavin Coombes (groin), RG Snyman (knee), Jack Daly (knee), Andrew Conway (knee) all continue to be unavailable.