Van Graan won't rush Carbery's return

Munster head coach Johann van Graan is hopeful that Joey Carbery will be fit and available by Christmas after he returned from the World Cup with a recurrence of his ankle injury.

It looked as if Carbery had suffered a tournament-ending injury in the opening warm-up fixture against Italy in August but had surgery and was able to feature in the Rugby World Cup.

The Munster out-half aggravated during the World Cup and the Munster head coach is willing to be patient as the playmaker immerses himself into rehab.

“He is going to be out for some time. We got to make sure he gets his strength back and we get that ankle fully functional,” said Van Graan.

Van Graan couldn't put an exact date on Carbery's return but when asked if Carbery would at least play in red by Christmas, he said:

“I hope so. I hope so. At this stage it is very difficult for the medical team to determine that.”

“They are not going that route (surgery), because he has had it for quite a while.

VIA: the42.ie