Coetzee knee injury "a slight problem"

Marcell Coetzee has been ruled out of Ulster's PRO14 game against Zebre in Parma on Saturday with a knee injury.

The 26-year-old has played just one game for Ulster this season, the 42-19 home win over the Cheetahs on 1 September, but scrum coach Aaron Dundon insists the back row's injury is not serious.

Former Natal Sharks player Coetzee joined Ulster on a three-year deal at the start of the 2016/17 season, but did not make his debut until February because of a previous knee injury

The South Africa born flanker then needed knee surgery in March following an injury he sustained in a Pro 12 game against Saturday's opponents Zebre.

"He's still got a slight problem with his knee but hopefully he will be back in the picture next week," Dundon told the Belfast Telegraph.

"It's a tough one with Marcell. 

"It's week by week management of it. Honestly, I don't think he's far away. He trained last week and he got through it pretty well.

"We've got four big games coming up so we've got to be sure we get him fit for those games."

Fellow South African loose forward Jean Deysel returns from an eye injury, while there are likely to be recalls for the rested Christian Leali'ifano, John Cooney and Luke Marshall in Italy.

Ulster and Ireland captain Rory Best is expected to be ruled out for another five weeks because of a hamstring injury, while Ireland winger Craig Gilroy is out until Christmas with a stress fracture in his lower back.

Ulster lead Conference B in the Pro14 after four victories from their opening four games.

Photo Inpho/ Matt Mackey

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