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A foot injury will keep Griffin out for the next five weeks. ©INPHO/James Crombie
Injury Update

Eoin Griffin out of Connacht's Heineken Cup opener

Here are all the latest injury updates from the Connacht camp ahead of Friday night.

CONNACHT WILL BE without centre Eoin Griffin for Friday night’s Heineken Cup opener against Saracens at the Sportsground.

The 23-year-old was forced to withdraw from last Friday’s RaboDirect Pro12 clash against Treviso after tearing ligaments in his foot during the warm-up. The Emerging Ireland cap is now awaiting the results of a scan to determine the duration of his time on the sidelines, but it is likely to be in the region of five weeks.

Pat Lam may also have to contend without the services of tight heads Ronan Loughney and Nathan White against Saracens. Loughney suffered concussion in Italy, while White was forced off early in the game with a calf problem. Both players are considered “in doubt” for Friday night.

There is some good news on the injury front, with second row Michael Swift back in training this week and available for selection, having missed out last weekend. Similarly, out-half Craig Ronaldson returns to the mix, giving Lam more depth to choose from.

In further positive tidings, both Dave McSharry and Denis Buckley played their first games of the season with their club sides last weekend, UCD and Corinthians respectively.

Friday evening’s 8pm kick-off against Saracens is set to be played in front of a sell-out crowd in Galway. Connacht will name their starting team at noon on Thursday.

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