Updated 12.50, 3 January

LEINSTER BACKS COACH Girvan Dempsey says Jonathan Sexton is ready to play again after an extensive rehabilitation period.

The Ireland out-half has been out of action since picking up a hamstring injury in the November loss to New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium.

Leinster have monitored their star player’s ‘day-to-day’ progress at the Santry Sports Clinic since. And after a return to training last week, the province expect to have him available for Friday’s visit of Zebre – although the playmaker was not among the Leinster contingent at Ireland’s mini camp yesterday.

“They wanted to get to the crux of the issue and try and resolve it,” Dempsey said at Leinster’s UCD base on Monday.

“It wasn’t a case of: ‘just get him back and roll him out there’. They wanted to use the time and try to get him 100%, get to the root of the problem and hopefully that will be the end of it.

“I think they have resolved it. He trained with us last week, he’s training now. Rehab has gone really well, so hopefully you’ll see him play this weekend.”

With Joey Carbery suffering an ankle injury away to Northampton in December and Cathal Marsh nearing a return from a hand injury, Ross Byrne was left as Leo Cullen’s only out-half for most of the last month. But a Sexton return this week would be a timely boost before the last two rounds of the Champions Cup pool stage.

“You’re trying to build those combinations and for him to be back involved last week was very important.

“It was great to have him back running around last week, he got a feel for it.

“I think it will be hugely important. Rounds five and six against a strong Montpellier side and then away to Castres will determine where we finish in the pool.”

Originally published 2 January, but corrected to clarify that Jonathan Sexton was not present for Ireland’s squad gathering.