Injury crisis mounting at Munster

Munster face a growing – and worrying – injury crisis at Thomond Park after it was confirmed three more faces have been placed on the treatment table.

Tony McGahan’s troops took on fellow Irish outfit Ulster in their last Pro 12 clash of 2011 on Friday with as many as 11 players nursing some form of injury.

And that number is now more like 14 after centre Tom Gleeson, back row Tommy O’Donnell and hooker Damien Varley were all forced to leave the field at Ravenhill.

Gleeson is believed to have injured his shoulder in the first half while Varley has a similar problem and O’Donnell is carrying a knock to the knee.

With Munster’s next clash against Italian side Treviso on January 7 followed by a return to the Heineken Cup they will be hoping to come through it unscathed.