LEINSTER HAVE NOW lost four players to the same ankle injury this season after it was confirmed Josh van der Flier and Barry Daly had procedures which are likely to keep them out for a period of six weeks.

The pair suffered syndesmosis injuries — also known as a ‘high ankle sprain’ — during the Champions Cup win over Glasgow last week, and follow Dan Leavy and captain Isa Nacewa in having the same operation already this season.

Leavy was sidelined for six weeks after sustaining the injury in the second game of the season against Dragons and made his return at Scotstoun last week, while Nacewa remains out and isn’t expected back for another few weeks.

Speaking earlier in the week, forwards coach John Fogarty said: “During the week we spoke about making sure we’re strong in the carry, and when you’re strong in the carry you’re kind of leaving players trailing behind you. And that kind of happened when players came down on the top of their ankles and we lost both of those this week.”

Van der Flier, who was poised to be in contention for a starting berth when the Springboks visit the Aviva Stadium next month, is now ruled out of the Ireland’s November internationals in a cruel blow.

Both players will now be in a race to be fit for Leinster’s back-to-back European games against Exeter Chiefs in early December, with the province travelling to Sandy Park on 10 December.

Meanwhile, Leinster say neither Johnny Sexton or Robbie Henshaw are long-term injury concerns after the pair picked up knocks in training during the week. They will both miss tomorrow’s Guinness Pro14 inter-pro against Ulster.

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