Ireland internationals James Ryan and Dan Leavy could be ready to help Leinster when they tackle some big games next month.

The Blues return to action on Saturday week with a PRO14 clash against Munster at the Aviva Stadium before another interprovincial derby against Ulster at the same venue on the following Saturday.

Blues senior coach Stuart Lancaster was a little cooler regarding their chances of making that first pair of games.

"They're both rehabbing on the side of the pitch at the moment," Lancaster said today.

"Dan's made amazing progress really, I think, but they are not involved in team sessions at the moment so both of them, it'd be a stretch to say the least, for Dan to be involved in the Munster game."

Leavy has been out of action since sustaining a serious knee ligament injury during Leinster's Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final defeat of Ulster in March 2019.

Lancaster stressed the importance of carefully managing the flanker's return to full contact training and playing games.

"Obviously the injury, as severe as it was and the length of time out, we have to make sure we manage him back appropriately but he's been doing unit stuff and bits and pieces here and there but he's still got to do full training for a full week and we're nearly a week away from playing Munster now," added Lancaster.

Earlier this month it emerged that Ryan had dislocated his shoulder but details were sketchy.

However today Lancaster revealed that he could be ready for the PRO14 play-off matches in September.

"James is making great progress really. I think Leo [Cullen] said that last week," said Lancaster.

"Again, he wouldn't be training with us at the moment but we're optimistic, if things go well, I think he can get towards the semi-finals and final stages which is three or four weeks from now."

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