Hopeful.

Munster head coach Johann van Graan has admitted outhalf Joey Carbery is a doubt for next weekend’s crucial Champions Cup quarter final clash with Edinburgh in Murrayfield.

The last time Carbery played a game was for Ireland in Murrayfield last month, but he has missed the last three games with a frustrating hamstring injury that still hasn’t fully healed.

Van Graan says he’s hopeful the youngster will return, but couldn’t give any guarantees with Carbery set to spend some time this week with the medial team before “hopefully” getting back out on the pitch.

“I don’t want to speculate. I hope that he’ll be back for next week’s game. It’s a bit early to say whether I expect him to be back, I really hope he’s back,” the Munster head coach said yesterday. 

“He’s going to be with our medical team this week and hopefully we can get him into some rugby this week or next week.

“He’s not ready to train on the pitch at this stage. He’s in a very good mental space and hopefully, he’ll be back on the pitch soon.

“He is a very important player in our wheel at this stage. His goal kicking and the energy that he brings, he is a player that made a big difference to our team so we really hope he is going to be ready for Edinburgh.”

Elsewhere Munster are expecting the rest of their internationals this week with Chris Farrell likely to feature in the PRO14. Other internationals could also feature including Tadhg Beirne who made his Six Nations debut against Wales on Saturday.

[The42]