Ireland scrum-half Craig Casey may make his return from injury as soon as Saturday week in Munster's BKT URC clash with Connacht in Castlebar.
The 25-year underwent surgery after suffering a knee injury in Munster's Champions Cup loss to Castres in mid-December.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday afternoon, interim head coach Ian Costello provided a positive update on the Limerick man, as well as lock Jean Kleyn, who hasn't played since the end of October due to a thigh injury.
"Craig Casey and Jean Kleyn trained pretty much fully today," Costello told RTÉ Sport ahead of Friday’s trip to Glasgow (7.35pm, live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).
"They trained as Glasgow as opposition, so we got a good test today, especially Craig.
"Craig is bouncing around the place, doing incredible rehab, that extra energy and vibe on the pitch was really noticeable.
"I think with a bit of luck they could have some part to play in the game next week. They definitely won't this week.
"He's so important to the group. He's the one who constantly brings energy to the group, very prominent in meetings, never waned in terms of contributions and he's probably stepped it up in the last week, 10 days.
"He's a massive addition on the pitch as well.
"Jack O'Donoghue (ankle) isn't back in full training yet, he's doing controlled pieces but it's really encouraging.
"It looks like he's coming back pretty significantly earlier than expected."
Munster’s Ireland contingent of Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Crowley and Calvin Nash are on "mandatory rest" after the Six Nations but are expected to return and be available for selection against Connacht.
Meanwhile, Costello didn’t hold back on criticism of their home loss to Edinburgh in the last round, calling the first half "the worst 40 minutes we played".
The hosts conceded five tries, four in the first half, in a 34-28 loss in Musgrave Park, leaving them fifth in the standings, six points off Sharks in fourth.
"The Edinburgh game, there needs to be a significant reaction to that," said Costello, who will take the role of General Manager of Munster Rugby, after the club announced Clayton McMillan as head coach from next season.
"From our point of view it was the worst 40 minutes we played by quite a distance.
"What concerns us was the manner of it, the performance around our work-rate, our energy, things we measure, we take pride in, it feeds into our physicality, that was way off
"Then you throw in our scrum, which was struggling and we got hammered in the first half.
"Even though the second half was better, we hadn't a footing through set-piece, we weren't able to pull back that scoreline.
"That one really hurt and had to sit with us for a week off and we've come back in and talked about it.
"We've hit pause because you have to when you have a performance like that.
"You put two performances like that back-to-back then it's a concern. When you have one performance like that, you hit pause and you look at what's next.
"We didn't hold back. Honesty is a crowning value for us so we had a really honest review but coming out of that was 'what's next?' and that's what we've focussed on.
"For 10 days, 12 days that's fueled everything we've done- 'What's next?'
"We've got to back it up with action.
"We can say whatever we want, it's all about actions in a very tough environment on Friday night."
Glasgow, in second place 13 points off leaders Leinster, and Munster have one of the most compelling rivalries in the URC.
The Warriors beat Munster at Thomond Park in last year's semi-final before going on to beat Bulls in the final.
"It is [the perfect opponent], lots of reasons but our reaction, our response, our boys are highly motivated on the back of that more than anything else," added Costello.
Meanwhile, Costello confirmed that former Ireland forwards Tommy O’Donnell and Sean Cronin are taking the forwards coaching duties with Alex Codling full time with the Ireland women’s squad for the Six Nations.
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Watch Glasgow v Munster (Friday, 7.35pm), Bulls v Leinster (Saturday, 3pm) and Ospreys v Connacht in the United Rugby Championship on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
