Munster's Jean Kleyn set for scan on neck while Diarmuid Kilgallen ruled out following surgery

Munster say Jean Kleyn will miss this Saturday's BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with the Emirates Lions, as they wait to find out the full extent of his neck injury.

The second row was a late withdrawal from South Africa's starting line-up before their Autumn Nations Series win over Wales on Saturday, and has been sent for a scan on his neck injury.

Munster have also confirmed that prop Jeremy Loughman is set for a spell on the sidelines. The 29-year-old suffered a hip injury in the defeat to the Stormers in Cape Town last month, and has since had surgery, although Munster have not put a timeline on his recovery.

In a further blow, new signing Diarmuid Kilgallen has been ruled out following surgery on a wrist injury. The 24-year-old impressed in his first Munster appearance earlier this month, when he started in their defeat to the All Blacks XV, but a wrist operation has now put him back in the treatment room, having nursed a hamstring injury earlier in the campaign.

Seán O'Brien will also miss this weekend's visit of the South Africans due to a leg injury, while Oli Jager is still unavailable with his neck issue, although the province say he has increased his workload in training.

In better news, centre Alex Nankivell (above) has recovered from his hip injury and is available for selection this weekend. The New Zealander hasn't featured since the URC Round 4 defeat to Leinster on 12 October.

Shane Daly (leg), Liam Coombes (leg) and Thaakir Abrahams (thigh) will all return to full training this week with their respective availability to be confirmed later this week.

Saturday's visit of the Lions to Thomond Park will be Munster's first league game since the departure of Graham Rowntree as head coach, with director of