Shane O'Neill, Tom Kenny and William Egan are all expected to return to the equation for Cork’s relegation play-off with Clare on Sunday, according to Cork's Evening Echo.
All three were marked absent for loss to Kilkenny — O’Neill and Egan on the injured list and Kenny on his honeymoon — but selector Kieran Kingston reveals all three should be available this Sunday in the Gaelic Grounds, 3pm.
Stephen McDonnell and Jamie Coughlan will be absent through injury for a match Kingston describes as championship in all but name.
“Both of us want to preserve our status and in many ways both teams are similar in so far as we are developing as teams.
“In that regard it’s very important that we stay up in Division 1A and we certainly will be going all out to do that.”
Clare already beat Cork at the group stage in Pairc Ui Rinn after a second-half meltdown by Cork and that defeat cost Jimmy Barry Murphy’s team a place in the knockout stages.
“That was a very disappointing loss for us and it definitely took from what was otherwise a very positive campaign for us overall.
“We took a lot from the group games and that second half was the one blip and it proved the difference between qualifying and the situation we now find ourselves in. However, we have a chance now to reverse that result and it’s a game that will be hugely competitive because of what’s at stake.
“It could also be a dress rehearsal for the championship if Clare beat Waterford in their opening game in Munster.
“When we are finished with the game on Sunday week we will sit down and review everything, the panel, our training schedule going into the championship and making provision for the club championships which will be starting up as well."