Munster looking for New Year's injury boost ahead of Saracens clash

SMARTING Munster are hoping to have four key squad members back from injury in time to feature in their crucial Investec Champions Cup clash with Saracens on January 11.

Peter O'Mahony (calf contusion), Conor Murray (elbow), Diarmuid Barron (chest), and jack O'Donoghue (shoulder) all missed out on featuring for Munster in the disappointing December 27 URC defeat to Leinster at Thomond Park.

Munster have no competitive fixture next weekend, but return to action on Saturday week, January 11 when Premiership side Saracens visit Thomond Park for a vital Champions Cup pool fixture, 5.30pm kick-off.

Asked about the possibility of the quartet of players returning for the game with Sarries, Munster Rugby's interim head coach Ian Costello said: "There was a couple of guys really (to being available) close tonight (v Leinster). Conor's not far off. Peter we would expect back. Jack O'Donoghue was really close and Diarmuid Barron only pulled out in our last training session.

"There's a few straight away. When you get to the stage of games when you want to use all 23 like against a side as good as Leinster or as good as Saracens, we need the strongest 23 we can possibly put out."

Costello said the challenges Leinster posed in Limerick will be similar to what they can expect from Saracens on Saturday week.

"Yeah it is (power) and a lot of line speed as well. Again, our accuracy and execution was pretty good against that line speed. We probably had one period where we overplayed a small bit in the first half but in terms of game management, our half backs did a really good job.

"It just came down to getting access and not converting. Against Saracens and the 10-day lead-in that we have, it will be all around the five metres on each goaline."

Munster confirmed last week that Thaakir Abrahams (shoulder), Craig Casey (knee) and Jean Kleyn (thigh) have all undergone surgery and have been ruled out for approximately four months.