Ulster have confirmed that flanker Stephen Ferris’s return to fitness may take longer than initially anticipated with “minor issues” remaining after the back rower’s surgery in December.
Ferris went under the knife before Christmas to repair ankle tendon damage that he sustained in a RaboDirect PRO12 match against Edinburgh in early November.
The 27 year-old was reviewed on Tuesday as part of his ongoing rehabilitation programme.
In that review it was discovered that, although he has made good progress in his recovery, some minor issues remain.
As a result, the specialist medical-staff treating Ferris are considering several options to ensure that he makes a full and complete return to play.
The medical staff and management team expect to reach a decision on a course of action in the coming weeks.
This setback has seriously dented Ferris’ hopes of travelling on the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia this summer, particularly given the level of competition for spaces in the back row.