Ireland and Munster secondrow Paul O’Connell could be back in training in four weeks’ time after receiving a positive reassessment on his injured left ankle.

O’Connell picked up the injury after falling awkwardly after a lineout during Munster’s Magners League clash against Leinster at Thomond Park on April 2nd.

Initial assessments of the injury seemed to rule him out for the season, but tests at a Dublin clinic yesterday showed progress and gave hope of a return sooner than expected for the 31-year-old.

O’Connell could yet play a part for Munster if they were to progress to the Magners League decider or the Amlin Challenge Cup final.