GAA:Down's Benny Coulter has become a doubt for the International Rules series later this month after injuring himself playing for Mayobridge at the weekend.
The influential forward, touted as a potential captain for Anthony Tohill’s Ireland side to take on the Australians, limped off during the Down club semi-final defeat against Burren.
The 28-year-old had just scored for Mayobridge but immediately signalled to the bench to come off in what appeared to be a recurrence of a hamstring problem.
"I don't know where the injury leaves me with the Ireland squad," said Coulter. "I was only off the phone to Anthony and he's giving me every chance.
"I'm going down to the Ireland physio (Enda King) and we'll take it from there. Anthony more or less said he wants me there and he'll give me up until the last minute, up until the matches."
Coulter attended Ireland training in Limerick last weekend, alongside Down colleagues Martin Clarke and Kevin McKernan, but played no part in the trial match.
Tohill is expected to name his 23-man squad ahead of the two-match series this Thursday with Coulter and Armagh’s Stephen McDonnell favourites for the captain’s armband.
The Australian travelling party will arrive in Cork next weekend in advance of the first Test in Limerick on Saturday, October 23rd with the second Test to take place a week later at Croke Park.