Injured Ireland captain Paul O'Connell is set to return to the team's camp ahead of their Rugby World Cup quarter-final meeting with Argentina on Sunday (1pm).
The Limerick man's international career came to an end after 108 caps this week when it was confirmed he had suffered a torn hamstring in Ireland's Pool D win over France last Sunday.
However, the former Munster man's inspirational leadership qualities will no doubt be harnessed by Joe Schmidt and his management team.
"Paul came back into camp on Monday, was in good form and contributing at the meetings," Ireland team manager Mick Kearney told RTÉ Sport.
"He left this morning for London, where he's having an operation today, and we're hopeful that he'll rejoin us in Cardiff either Friday evening or Saturday.
Kearney also confirmed that Ireland have the option of appealing Sean O'Brien's one-week ban for striking Pascal Pape, which is set to rule him out of the Argentina clash, and will make a decision on that tomorrow.
"I attended the hearing with Sean on Tuesday. It took the guts of seven hours to hear all the evidence and see it through.
"It was a very fair, thorough process. We received the written report on the hearing earlier today. We are reflecting on that and we'll have a further update tomorrow."
There was some welcome informaion on the injury front, with the news that both outhalf Johnny Sexton, who was taken off in the win over France due to a groin strain, and Keith Earls are expected to train fully tomorrow.
Kearney also paid tribute to the intensity of the Irish support in Cardiff last weekend, saying the noise from the Irish crowd at the Millennium Stadium was bigger even than that at a Wales game.
"Everyone I spoke to, from players to neutrals even in the ground, all said they'd never seen an atmosphere like it in the Millennium," he said. "That includes Irish matches, Heineken Cup finals and even Welsh matches.
"Incredible support and incredible volume. I don't think anyone has ever heard Ireland's call sung with such passion and gusto.
"It was spine-tingling and the players appreciate the support massively.
"They appreciate the effort, expense and trouble people have gone to, to get to Cardiff by air, sea and rail. There's no doubt that it acted as a 16th man to the team right throughout the game."
