Chris Farrell returns for Munster but Jean Kleyn out for six weeks

MUNSTER have been boosted with the return to full training of Ireland centre Chris Farrell, who has not featured for the province for nine months due to injury.

Twenty five-year-old Farrell suffered an ACL knee injury while training with Ireland ahead of the start of the 6 Nations last February.

On a negative injury note for Munster, second-row Jean Kleyn suffered a thumb injury against the Cheetahs in the Guinness PRO14 in South Africa last time out and will be out for at least six weeks having undergone surgery.

Kleny's injury will mean the South African lock-forward will miss the crucial back-to-back Champions Cup pool fixtures with Castres Olympique next month.

Meanwhile, Munster has also confirmed that New Zealand scrum-half Mathewson has signed a three-month extension to remain at the province until the end of March 2019.

The Munster squad returned to training at the High Performance Centre at UL today, Friday, as preparations started for the Guinness PRO14 clash away to Zebre on Sunday, November 25 (3.30pm Irish time).

As well as Farrell a number of other Munster players will return to full team training this week including Conor Oliver, Ronan O’Mahony, Calvin Nash and Jaco Taute.

Sammy Arnold has completed his return to play protocols and has been training with the Ireland squad.

On the contract front, development prop Cronan Gleeson has completed his short-term contract.

The following are progressing with rehabilitation: Liam O’Connor (knee), Rhys Marshall (hamstring), Tommy O’Donnell (ankle), Jack O’Donoghue (knee), Dave O’Callaghan (foot), Conor Murray (neck), James Hart (knee), Dan Goggin (knee), Stephen Fitzgerald (foot).