Limerick have been dealt a blow in advance of Saturday's All-Ireland senior hurling qualifier against neighbours Clare in Ennis with captain TJ Ryan looking certain to miss the game.
County board secretary James Hartigan confirmed yesterday that the Garryspillane player went over on an ankle in training and is undergoing treatment.
'At this stage it looks as if TJ will be out for Sunday,' said Hartigan.
As part of their preparation the Shannonsiders, without Ryan, met, and beat, Dublin in a challenge at the weekend, with the sides pencilled in to meet again at the Gaelic Grounds in the third round of the qualifiers.
In between Limerick will play Offaly at Birr, on July 1.
Should Ryan be ruled out when the management meet this evening to select their team, the likely option is to move Stephen Lucey to the full-back berth.
Limerick also lost to Galway in a recent hurling challenge.
Meanwhile, Limerick have expressed regret at the condition of the playing surface at the Gaelic Grounds for last Sunday's Munster senior football semi final against Cork.
Said a spokesman: 'The surface came in for a good deal of criticism. The position was that sand was put on the field during the recent spell of inclement weather, and the problem arose during the unexpected heatwave.'
