Andy Farrell says he expects Dan Sheehan to be fit for Ireland's World Cup campaign after receiving a positive update on the hooker’s foot injury.
Sheehan, 24, was replaced in the first half of last Saturday's win over England with reports that the Leinster man had "lost power in his foot".
"He’s good, yeah, he’s got a sprain in his foot, in a ligament in his foot," Farrell told RTÉ Sport after naming Tom Stewart to start in Saturday’s final warm-up game against Samoa in Bayonne (7.45pm).
Asked if he expected Sheehan to be fit for selection for Ireland’s opening game against Romania in Bordeaux on 9 September, the head coach said: "We’ll see how he progresses over the coming weeks but, as I said, with all injuries you see how they develop over the period of time, don’t you, but we expect him to be fit for the World Cup."
Sheehan’s fellow Leinster hooker Rónan Kelleher, last in action against La Rochelle in the Champions Cup final on 20 May, is still rehabilitating a hamstring injury.
Stewart (above) finished as top try-scorer in the URC last season and Farrell has been impressed with the 22-year-old.
"I like everything. Well, I certainly like most things from what I've seen," he said.
"I've seen a determined young man that's willing to understand what it takes first and foremost to thrive in an international environment.
"And it's tough for a young player especially in that type of position. He's certainly done that. He's a determined kid who quietly goes about his job, but he certainly puts a lot of confidence into the coaching staff and players with the way he prepares etc.
"I'm hoping that transfers, that's the main thing, just being himself at the weekend because he's a good player."
On Kelleher, who hasn’t played in the Summer Nations Series, Farrell said: "As far as Rónan is concerned, he is doing great.
"He is flying around the place at this moment in time - this week. If it was, at a push, for him - say a World Cup semi-final or final - we're sure we could have got him over the line this week, but there's no need to do that. He's in good spirits."
Farrell will name his final 33-man squad on Monday and, despite leaving Ciarán Frawley and Jacob Stockdale out of his 23 for Samoa, insisted everyone in the wider panel can force their way into the final cut and there was no special instructions for the likes of Stewart and centre Stuart McCloskey.
"Well, we haven't selected the squad yet," he said.
"Everyone is still in the mix. There's a good few days to go, in that regard.
"There’s no message, the messages have been over the last 10 weeks of how we prepare to be the best team you possibly can be, how you adjust and adapt to that is the pressure of playing top level rugby so they know that and they’ll push forward with that in mind."
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