Luckless Ulster flanker Marcell Coetzee could be set for another agonising spell on the sidelines as he goes under the surgeon's knife again today.

The big-name addition to the squad last summer has managed just four games for the side after arriving with a serious cruciate ligament problem and re-injured the same knee against Zebre two weeks ago. The province now fear he could be out until December.

"It's exploratory surgery," explained Director of Rugby Les Kiss.

"The word from the surgeon is that we'll find out the true extent after that. There's cartilage damage but worst case scenario it's the ligament which would be six to nine months depending on the severity.

"There's obviously some damage there."

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Belfast Telegraph