LEINSTER WILL ASSESS the fitness of Cian Healy tomorrow before making a decision on whether he will be available for Friday’s game against Zebre, although Joe Schmidt could yet call upon the prop.

The 28-year-old returned to training with the province yesterday, although he was limited to just light running, as he steps up his recovery from the knee procedure he underwent in early January.

Speaking at Leinster HQ in UCD earlier, backs coach Girvan Dempsey confirmed Healy was due to take a full part in Monday’s squad session and the medical team would then monitor his progress.

“Cian Healy is good, he did some running on Sunday and seems to have come through that okay,” Dempsey said. “He didn’t fully participate in training yesterday but is due to take a full part later [Monday] and do a bit of scrummaging.

“We’ll see how he comes through that and make an assessment then. We’re very hopeful he’s going to be available for Friday.”

However, Schmidt indicated yesterday that he might yet call upon one of Healy or Ross for Ireland’s second Six Nations assignment in Paris.

Connacht’s Nathan White struggled in the scrum against Wales at the Aviva Stadium and Schmidt may be tempted to fast-track one of the Leinster forwards’ return – although Dempsey has yet to hear anything.

“I haven’t heard anything back, I don’t think there’s been any contact with the national team yet,” the former Ireland international said. “They’re sifting through the bodies and seeing how everyone is recovered and will obviously do a full medical report.

“We haven’t been notified if we’re getting any guys back or they’re taking guys into camp yet.”

On the injury front, Leinster are hopeful of having captain Isa Nacewa and long-term absentee Jack Conan back in the fold very shortly.

Analysis: Ireland’s defence holds up in brutal battle against Wales

St Michael’s advance to semi-finals of Leinster Senior Cup after first-half blitz of Terenure