Ulster look set to be without Marty Moore for a lengthy spell after the province confirmed the prop picked up a "significant" injury on New Year's Day.
The tighthead injured his knee during the first half of Sunday's United Rugby Championship defeat to Munster at Kingspan Stadium.
Moore was stretchered off after sustaining the knock just 30 minutes into the interpro clash in Belfast, which Munster won 15-14.
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The 31-year-old was set to have an MRI scan on Tuesday to assess the full extent of the damage.
The Ulster Rugby Medical Performance team issued a squad update ahead of Saturday’s URC trip to Benetton Rugby.
They said: "Marty Moore suffered a significant knee injury in Sunday's BKT URC game against Munster. He will have an MRI scan on Tuesday.
"He joins Will Addison (lower leg), Aaron Sexton (hand), Jude Postlethwaite (shoulder), Angus Curtis (knee), and David Shanahan (hamstring) on the list of players who are unavailable for selection this week due to injury."
There is some positive news for head coach Dan McFarland, with some personnel returning from injury.
Ireland hooker Rob Herring is back after completing his return to play protocols following a head knock against Stade Rochelais in Europe.
Tom O’Toole returns from an abdomen injury, while Alan O’Connor and Ian Madigan will join in with team training this week.
"Their availability for selection will be monitored through the week," the Ulster Rugby Medical Performance team added.
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