Fitness boost for Connacht: Squad Update

There was another cause for celebration as a number of players made the return from injury.
John Muldoon, who suffered a knee injury while playing for Ireland in the Autumn Internationals, has been declared fit again and has re-joined the squad for full training.

Accompanying him on the training pitch is captain Gavin Duffy. Duffy has been out of action with a hamstring injury for almost nine weeks now but the Mayo man returned to training today in Galway.

Another welcome returnee is forward Willie Faloon who has recovered fully from the eye injury he sustained in the 22-14 victory over French side Biarritz in December.

Centre Kyle Tonetti and winger Matt Healy are both back playing for their respective clubs this weekend -Bucanneers RFC and Lansdowne RFC - and are expected to be available for selection in the Rabo PRO12 league over the coming weeks.

December's Player of the Month Eoin McKeon has also been given the all-clear and will join his team mates for training at the Sportsground tomorrow.

Head Coach Eric Elwood is very pleased with the fitness boost to his squad:

"I'm delighted to see some of the lads coming back. It's early days yet but they're making good progress in training and it adds some much-needed depth to our squad as we look to compete in the remaining nine fixtures of the season."

Both Mike McCarthy and Dave McSharry are on international duty ahead of the 2013 RBS 6 Nations campaign. McCarthy has been named in the team to take on Wales in the opening game this Saturday 2nd February in Cardiff, KO 1:30pm

Meanwhile Darragh Leader, Frank Murphy, George Naoupu and Dave Nolan still feature on the injury list.

Connacht travel to Wales next Friday 8th February to take on the Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets (kick off 7:30pm).