Magners League Official Website : Injury blow for Stringer

Injury blow for Stringer

6 October 2005, 4:30 pm

By Jonathan McConnell

Munster's bad run of luck with injuries this season has continued with the confirmation that scrum-half Peter Stringer is suffering from knee ligament damage.

The 27-year-old Ireland international suffered the injury during a training session in Limerick on Tuesday. The province are already planning for the start of the Heineken Cup without Christian Cullen (shoulder), Anthony Horgan (knee), Mike Mullins (Achilles) and Paul O'Connell (thumb).

However, there has been encouraging news regarding full-back/wing Shaun Payne (shoulder/neck) and lock Mick O'Driscoll (hand) - both have been included in an extended squad for Munster's Celtic League derby clash with Leinster on Sunday.

Stringer is expected to be out of action for three to four weeks, meaning he will miss the province's opening two Heineken Cup fixtures against Sale and Castres.

Munster coach Declan Kidney said: ``We have great young players in the squad who are looking for places - that's the way it has always been in Munster and we don't ever think about what might be. We just have to accept these things and get on with it.''