Connacht coach Michael Bradley will have to plan for the visit of Bath with a depleted squad after three of his most valuable players were today ruled out through injury.
Flanker John Muldoon and lock David Gannon will both be out of action for the next four to six weeks after sustaining injuries in the weekend's defeat to Munster, while three-quarter Keith Matthews is not expected back until next season after damaging his cruciate ligament late in the same game.
A scan later in the week will reveal the true extent of the damage but Bradley is already planning without the versatile back.
"It is very unfortunate but I think everyone in the ground feared the worst when he got injured," he said today. Matthews has played 13 of Connacht's 16 games this season.
"Keith is a quality professional. He faces a tough time in the next few months but I know he will deal with it and will come back in flying form," added Bradley.
23-year-old Muldoon cracked a cheekbone at the Sportground on Sunday, while Gannon (24) damaged ankle ligaments early on in the game.
The injuries mean that Bradley will be without the two ever-present players for the remaining European Challenge Cup games against Bath tomorrow week and away to Harlequins a week after that.
Neither is expected to return before the Ospreys match in the Liberty Stadium on February 16.
After a sell-out 4,560-strong crowd watched the 14-08 defeat to Munster tickets for the Bath game have already gone on sale and Connacht supporters are expected to turn up in force following news that Bath are bringing 400 of their own fans.
Connacht were narrowly beaten in Bath's Recreation Gorund last time the two met.
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