Michael Cheika talks ahead of Glasgow Warriors Clash

Leinster welcome skipper Brian O'Driscoll and Malcolm O'Kelly back into the extended panel for the first time this season after their return from the Rugby World Cup, while Fionn Carr is also added to the squad to face the Scottish side.

Trevor Hogan has undergone surgery on a knee cartilage injury and is likely to miss the opening rounds of the province's Heineken Cup campaign which starts at home to Leicester Tigers on November 10th. Gary Brown picked up a foot injury and is also unavailable for selection, while both Leo Cullen and Chris Whitaker are rated as doubtful.

Speaking ahead of Friday night's clash in Glasgow, Leinster coach Michael Cheika said:

TEAM NEWS: "It's obviously a blow to lose Trevor and Gary because their recent performances have been of a high standard. Fergus McFadden is ok, but we'll have to wait and see on how both Leo and Chris are this week.

"On a positive note, we're delighted to welcome back both Brian and Malcolm from Ireland duty. They've been around for training and I suppose it's a bit of a re-start for them as it's the first time that they will have played the new players who have joined the squad.

"The players who were away at the World Cup have shown a real hunger to get back and play for Leinster and it will be a further boost when the other players join the squad for the following game."

ON LAST WEEKEND'S DEFEAT: "There was huge disappointment for the players especially last weekend. We have a number of young players who will benefit enormously from that experience and from the previous week's victory in Wales.

"There's nothing simple about professional rugby and players' careers won't ever go on an upward spiral. The top players take experience, learn their lesson from it and then build on it because we've nothing else to take from last weekend.

"The support we have received this year has been incredible and we owe it to everyone associated with Leinster to make amends this weekend."

ON GLASGOW: "They have built up quite nicely over the summer after probably finishing last year's league campaign as the in-form team. They're always difficult to beat and the last time we played in Firhill we struggled to beat them.

"Daryl Gibson has made a prominent start in their midfield and they have definitely re-enforced.

"Without disrespecting the opposition, the challenge for us this week is about how we perform ourselves. That first defeat of the season and the loss of our home record has affected the players because that's something they're proud of, but the win away in Cardiff has given us the belief to win on the road.

"The Magners League is more competitive this year and all the teams can beat each other which makes it interesting."

ON FELIPE CONTEPOMI'S IRB WORLD PLAYER OF THE YEAR NOMINATION: "Since I've been involved with Leinster, Felipe has been nothing but an absolute pleasure to work with. He's a good player, but more importantly he is a good person.

"Felipe has been a dominant figure in the European scene for the last few years and I'm delighted for him and his family that he has received this recognition and that he has shown his talents on the world stage.

"I hope I'm not tempting fate, but I really think that Argentina have a good chance on Sunday. It has been such an extraordinary tournament and the South Africans might think that they have the measure on them. But the Pumas will be fired up and ready for the challenge."

LEINSTER SQUAD TO FACE GLASGOW WARRIORS

FORWARDS: S. Wright, J. Gomez, C. Healy, S. Knoop, B. Blaney, B. Jackman, L. Cullen, M. O'Kelly, D. Toner, C. Jowitt, K. McLaughlin, S. Keogh, J. Heaslip, K. Gleeson, S. Jennings

BACKS: C. Whitaker, C. Keane, C. Willis, J. Sexton, C. Warner, B. O'Driscoll, F. McFadden, F. Carr, R. Kearney, L. Fitzgerald, R. McCarron

REFEREE: Hugh Watkins (WRU), SUB REFEREE: Neil Paterson (SRU), TOUCH JUDGE: Peter Carruthers (SRU), TMO: Peter Allan (SRU)