Monday 26 January 2015 15:55, UK
Ireland are hopeful scrum-half Eoin Reddan will overcome a knee injury in time to face Italy in Rome in their Six Nations opener on February 7.
The experienced Leinster star suffered medial ligament damage during Saturday's 20-20 Champions Cup draw with Wasps but with Munster counterpart Conor Murray struggling with an injury of his own, Ireland are keen to have him available for the trip.
A statement confirmed: "Eoin strained medial ligaments in his knee and is being rehabbed in an effort to be fit for the first game of the Six Nations."
Murray, meanwhile, is "scheduled to have further scans this week" having suffered damage to a disc in his neck.
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt gathered his 46-man training squad at their Carton House base on Monday with several other key men struggling for fitness - including captain Jamie Heaslip and Munster lock Dave Foley.
The statement added: "Jamie's (Heaslip) shoulder continues to recover, he will be rested from contact this week.
"Scans have confirmed ligament damage in Dave's wrist and he will have a surgical consultation this week."
Ireland are already missing star fly-half Johnny Sexton for the game at Stadio Flaminio but better news comes in the form of Connacht centre Robbie Henshaw, who is fit to train after ankle trouble.
