Munster hopeful of Jack Crowley and Tom Ahern fitness

Munster have issued positive updates on both Jack Crowley and Ton Ahern ahead of Friday night's BKT United Rugby Championship trip to Edinburgh.

Out-half Crowley and versatile forward Ahern departed the second half of Saturday's 47-12 win over Connacht with respective foot and shoulder injuries, but both players are on track to be fit for the game at the Hive Stadium.

The pair got though this afternoon's training session at Munster's University of Limerick base, according to assistant coach Andy Kyriacou.

"We hope so," Kyriacou said when asked if the pair were on track to make the trip to Edinburgh.

"They got through most of training today, and then we're just going to see how they pull up, and react to the training they've done.

"They got through a good body of work, so fingers crossed they'll come through and be ready for the game."

Friday night will come too soon for flanker John Hodnett.

The 25-year-old has missed the last two games with to a leg injury, with the province targeting the Round 18 meeting with Ulster for his return to action.

"He's progressing really well. He'll keep reintegrating himself back into his return to play stuff that he's been doing with [athletic performance coach] Dave Power and the physio department, and hopefully we'll see him back on the grass with us, if not next week, then the week after," Kyriacou added.

Saturday's win over Connacht confirmed Munster's place in next month's play-offs, but with the defending champions third in the table with just two games to play, they have set their sights on breaking into the top two, which would give them home advantage for the quarter-final, as well as a potential semi-final.

Friday night's opponents Edinburgh are right in the middle of a congested race to