Jackson targets return against Cardiff Blues

Jackson has been out since January after suffering the injury in a match against Toulon, but the 23-year-old played 40 minutes for an Ulster Ravens side in their 30-24 defeat to Munster 'A' on Thursday.

And the Ireland international admitted he was eager to get back into the Ulster starting line-up after making it through the match unscathed.

"The elbow felt good, hopefully I've done enough to get into the squad for next week," Jackson told Ulster's website.

"It was a bit nerve-wrecking at the start and it's bizarre, but it seems like a blink of an eye since I was out on the pitch.

"It was good to get back into full contact again and a match time situation. The elbow felt good.

"I'd have liked to have got a few more minutes but the main thing was just getting out there and get confident playing again.

"Getting into the first few contacts I was a bit cautious but once I had my first tackle, I felt good going into the rest of the game, so I was really happy."

And with Ulster's next GUINNESS PRO12 clash against Blues just a week away, coach Neil Doak will be relieved by the news of his star's timely return.

Ulster head into the final five games of the season in a good position, with just four points separating them and top-of-the-table Glasgow Warriors.

And with the Irish province keen to book their place in the play-offs as soon as possible Jackson is hopeful that he is on his way back to full fitness.

"All the coaches were here and hopefully they were happy with what they saw," he added.

"There's been a lot of injuries this year so hopefully that's me for the season in terms of injuries, and I can try to get some games together."

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