Ulster caretaker coach Steve Williams has named 26 players for the Heineken League fixture against the Ospreys at The Liberty Stadium on Friday night with Bryn Cunningham almong those returning to the squad.

The squad includes four players who were not involved in the defeat to Edinburgh at the weekend.

Among those returning to the squad is Cunningham who will be hoping to regain his place in the match day 22. The 29 year old who has 128 caps for his province is in direct competition with Australian Mark Bartholomeusz for the number 15 shirt.

Also included in the extended squad is Academy player Mark McCrea, hooker Matt Miles and Justin Harrison who played for the Barbarians against South Africa at the weekend.

"Again like everything else we have to pick the team for the different oppositions and the challenges that they will present. We need to be streetwise against the Ospreys and we are well aware of the threats that they bring to the game," said Steve Williams

Ulster Rugby have currently three back row players unavailable due to injury with Roger Wilson joining the list alongside Stephen Ferris and Neil McMillan after picking up a thumb injury against Edinburgh.

Wilson is expected to me out of action for between 6-8 weeks while David Humphreys is also still unavailable due to injury (ankle).

This weekend marks the first of two back to back Heineken Cup games against the Ospreys who are the current Magners League champions.

The Ospreys recorded a win against Bourgoin in the opening pool game and then were defeated at Kingsholm by Gloucester who lead Pool 2 going into this third round.

Williams will name his starting line-up on Thursday.

Ulster Squad:

Backs
M Bartholomeusz; S Danielli, B Cunningham, M McCrea, T Bowe, A Trimble, R Dewey, P Steinmetz, N O'Connor, P Wallace, I Boss, K Campbell

Forwards
J Fitzpatrick; B Young, D Fitzpatrick, M Miles, R Best, N Brady, J Harrison, R Caldwell, C Del Fava, M McCullough, N Best, K Dawson, D Pollock