Paul O'Connell back in contention for Munster (Credit - Facebook - Paul O'Connell)

Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris will be given a few days to prove his fitness ahead of the province’s Heineken Cup quarter final clash with Munster this weekend, after being named in the Ravenhill outfit’s provisional, 34-man, squad.

Ferris, yesterday, “longlisted” for the ERC Player of the Year Award, damaged ankle ligaments in the province’s win over Aironi at the weekend and still remains a major doubt for Sunday’s game.

He was replaced by Willie Faloon in that game, with Chris Henry switching to blindside. That is the expected make-up of the backrow for Limerick with Pedrie Wannenberg staying at number eight and Robbie Diack promoted to the bench.

Mike McComish has returned to full training and has been named in the squad for the first time since suffering concussion during a clash with Edinburgh match over a month ago.

Second row Tim Barker (back) and wing Simon Danielli (hamstring) remain sidelined, while young backs James McKinney (shoulder) and Chris Coachrane (foot) have picked up injuries.

Paul O’Connell is amongst those who returns to the Munster squad ahead of the tie. The talismanic captain, who picked up an injury in Ireland’s Six Nations draw with France had been a major doubt, but is included along with fellow returnees Donnacha Ryan, David Wallace and Conor Murray.

BJ Botha and Keith Earls both sustained minor rib injuries last weekend’s RaboPro12 defeat to Leinster, but will shake them off in time for the Heineken Cup quarter-final.

Ulster Squad: Callum Black, Tom Court, Adam Macklin, Declan Fitzpatrick, John Afoa, Paddy McAllister, Rory Best, Nigel Brady, Andi Kyricaou, Lewis Stevenson, Dan Tuohy, Johann Muller (captain), Neil McComb, Stephen Ferris, Mike McComish, Willie Faloon, Pedrie Wannenburg, Chris Henry, Robbie Diack; Paul Marshall, Ruan Pienaar, Ian Porter, Ian Humphreys, Paddy Jackson, Luke Marshall, Paddy Wallace, Ian Whitten, Nevin Spence, Darren Cave, Stefan Terblanche, Conor Gaston, Craig Gilroy, Andrew Trimble, Adam D’Arcy

Munster Squad: Johne Murphy, Ian Keatley, Tomas O’Leary, Felix Jones, Denis Hurley, Keith Earls, Lifeimi Mafi, Simon Zebo, Ronan O’Gara, Conor Murray, Danny Barnes, Duncan Williams, Scott Deasy, David Wallace, Donnacha O’Callaghan, Stephen Archer, Marcus Horan, Damien Varley, James Coughlan, Tommy O’Donnell, Peter O’Mahony, Paul O’Connell, Donnacha Ryan, BJ Botha, Mike Sherry, Wian Du Preez, Mick O’Driscoll, Billy Holland, John Ryan, Denis Fogarty.