Injury-cursed Leinter have issued some positive news with rugby league convert Ben Te’o set to return from a broken arm ahead of Ulster’s visit to Dublin on Saturday.

With Fergus McFadden also available Matt O’Connor, finally, has some tough decisions to make regarding his backline, specifically who starts at 13.

Te’o, signed after Brian O’Driscoll’s retirement, had a disastrous debut against Edinburgh in November when forced off after 20 minutes with a fracture that required surgery. He will probably be used off the bench this week.

Luke Fitzgerald, Brendan Macken, Gordon D'Arcy, Noel Reid and Ian Madigan are also in contention to feature in the centre.

"The specialist has passed him fit to play," said Leinster assistant coach Richie Murphy. "He's been trying to find his feet. Obviously it was a very difficult sort of situation coming in late and then picking up an injury in his first senior game, it was a bit of a nightmare for him and us.

“He will be a quality player and the more we can get him on the pitch, the better.”

The weekend's match may come too soon for Marty Moore, who has resumed full training after shoulder damage, while Dominic Ryan must pass the concussion protocols after sustaining head trauma in last Friday's defeat to Munster.

"Marty Moore is moving closer to his return to play," said Murphy, "and the likes of Sean O'Brien and Cian Healy are both rehabbing and improving every day."

Healy could conceivably feature in January's Champions Cup games against Castres and Wasps while O'Brien has an outside chance of playing in the Six Nations.

The Ireland internationals, rested at Thomond Park, are also available for selection.