Joey Carbery poised to return for Munster before the New Year

Ahead of their Champions Cup clash with Saracens this Saturday in Thomond Park, Munster Rugby have issued a squad update.

Joey Carbery is progressing well with his rehabilitation from an ankle injury and is in line to make a return towards the end of the month.

Carbery hasn’t featured since the Rugby World Cup in Japan last month after traveling to the tournament with the injury.

There were no fresh concerns following the weekend’s rugby with 23 players in PRO14 action and 14 senior and Academy players lining out for their clubs in the All Ireland League.

After undergoing a scan last week, Jeremy Loughman will not require surgery on the ankle injury he sustained against Racing 92 but will be managed conservatively by the medical staff.

Tyler Bleyendaal, who recently presented with neck stiffness, will be given a number of weeks to rest in taking every precaution with his recovery.

Continuing to rehab: Jeremy Loughman (ankle), Tyler Bleyendaal (neck), Chris Cloete (RTPP), Dave Kilcoyne (calf), Joey Carbery (ankle), Ciaran Parker (calf), Darren Sweetnam (hamstring).