Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins said Bundee Aki remains available for selection but gave no guarantees the Ireland centre will feature against Newcastle Falcons on Saturday.
Aki has not played for Connacht since the home loss to Ulster on 23 December. The 32-year-old missed the New Year's Day trip to Leinster as part of the IRFU player welfare programme and was also omitted for the wins over the Cell C Sharks and Brive.
Connacht travel to Kingston Park on Saturday knowing a bonus-point win could clinch a home tie in the Challenge Cup knockouts and Wilkins said Aki must be patient as there is strong competition for the two centre positions.
"Bundee is absolutely available," said Wilkins. "He has trained really well with us this week. At the same time he’s in a position where there’s a fair amount of competition. Cathal Forde has done a terrific job since he got his opportunity against the Sharks.
"Even in that 13 position, Tom Farrell has been a real strength there for us and Byron Ralston played really well in the week just gone.
"It’s a busy position group. You’ve got guys like Tom Daly who can’t even get a look in at the moment despite being a quality player.
"Bundee is available but we’ll have to see what we do around the management of that group of centres."
When asked if the Connacht supporters could have optimism that Aki will still be at the province next season, Wilkins replied: "Absolutely. I’m not partial to everyone’s contract negotiations and situation, but Bundee has been an important part of this club for a long time and I’ve no doubt he’ll continue to contribute.
"He’s in a good headspace and the club values him. That’s important."
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell names his squad for the Six Nations on Thursday and Aki could potentially miss out due to his lack of first-team action.
The 32-year-old was suspended for the autumn wins over South Africa and Fiji but made a try-scoring return off the bench in the victory over Australia.
He started in four of Connacht's five matches following the international window but has yet to feature in 2023.
"We want to support Bundee in terms of his Irish ambitions," said Wilkins. "We want to help support the national team as well and we be in regular contact with Andy Farrell and the other coaches in terms of how players are going and the type of lead-in they're getting when hopefully going into camps. There is a really good line of communication there.
"You saw after Bundee’s suspension earlier in the season, he was still supported by the Irish camp in terms of selection and involvement in their preparation when he wasn’t playing, but also getting involvement at the end of that November period [against Australia].
"We certainly won’t do anything to harm his chances there but it’s important we have that open line of communication with those guys as well."
Wilkins said he and director of rugby Andy Friend were on the same page regarding Aki’s selection.
"As a coaching staff and an organisation, everyone is aligned," said Wilkins. "They want what’s best for the club and for us in terms of week-to-week performances, but they also want to look after the individuals and make sure that everyone is supported.
"Everyone wants to play and everyone has international ambitions, and there are different stages of that journey. We certainly wouldn’t do anything that we thought was harming a player’s development, either with us or in terms of representing the national team. It’s about trying to pick the best team and manage the group.
"Bundee has been training with us, he was excellent today [Tuesday], we’ve just come off a big session this morning. He had a good Monday as well. He’s in a good headspace and is training hard.
"Along with everyone else, he’ll be in the selection mix."
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