The Irish medical team have revealed that O’Connell won’t be fit in time to take part in Ireland’s crucial encounter against the Pumas on November 24.

Kearney explained that the nature of the injury makes it difficult to estimate a possible return date for the former British and Irish Lions captain.

“There's been no timeframe put on his return to play at this stage,” he said.

“It's a question, I think, of just monitoring it as we go along and see where it ends up.

“There's no fixed date or estimate as to when he actually will return to play. It is out there in the public domain that he's had a couple of (anti-inflammatory) injections.

“He had a further injection on Friday. It will be managed for the next while and the hope is that it can settle down over the next few weeks.

“Certainly the nature of the injury means that it's a question of wait-and-see.

“It certainly isn't a black and white situation in terms of knowing the exact prognosis for what you do from this moment on.”

Ulster’s Stephen Ferris is another influential figure Ireland must cope without as the flanker hasn’t recovered from an ankle injury a quickly as was hoped.

Peter O’Mahony wore the number 6 jersey against the Springboks and he may do so again for the Argentina test with Kearney confirming that Ferris is not expected to recover in time.

“He has significant ankle ligament damage and is continuing to receive intensive treatment.

“But at this stage, we don't expect him to be available for the game against Argentina on Saturday week.”