Ulster coach Mark McCall has made two changes to the squad from their last outing, a victory over the Dragons, for Saturday's Celtic League game against Glasgow Warriors at Firhill (5.30pm).
Paul Steinmetz, who fractured a cheekbone in the Dragons match, misses out, but his absence is mitigated by the return from Six Nations duty of Andrew Trimble; the brilliant young centre will partner Jonny Bell in midfield.
Kevin Maggs injured a hamstring when he went on as a replacement for Steinmetz the last day and the problem hasn't righted itself in time for Saturday's game, so his place on the bench goes to James Topping.
Ulster are second in the league behind Leinster and will have a better appreciation of where they stand when Leinster play Llanelli at Lansdowne Road tomorrow night.
Connacht coach Michael Bradley is expected to name an extended squad ahead of Saturday's game against the Dragons at the Sportsground.
His main concerns at present are a back injury niggling at captain Andrew Farley and a leg problem hampering centre Keith Matthews.
He is likely to delay naming a team until tomorrow morning to allow players ample opportunity to prove their fitness.
Definitely out of contention is John Hearty, who broke his jaw against Leinster and won't return until next month. And flanker Brendan O'Connor probably won't play again this season; the former under-21 international requires an ankle operation.
Ireland A flanker Shane Jennings has been voted "Newcomer of the Year" by Leicester Tigers supporters.
Jennings has been a prominent operator in the Leicester back row this season, impressing coaches, team-mates and, obviously, supporters.
The former Leinster player is included along with Leo Cullen and Geordan Murphy in the club's squad ahead of tomorrow's English Premiership game against Northampton.
Meanwhile, Johnny O'Connor is making slow if clearly defined progress from the serious blow he took to his neck during Sunday's Powergen Cup final victory over Llanelli.
The Wasps and Ireland openside flanker was taken from the pitch on a stretcher after play had been held up for nine minutes as he received medical care.
The Wasps physiotherapist Roger Athy-Knibbs revealed the full extent of the neck injury that will keep O'Connor out of this weekend's league game against Saracens and beyond.
O'Connor sustained the injury in the opening minute of the match at Twickenham and there were initial fears about its severity.
These have since been largely allayed, but Athy-Knibbs has revealed the player will seek specialist advice from a consultant next Wednesday.
"The problem was that where he took the contact he basically traumatised the neural system and got what we call a spinal concussion," explained the physiotherapist.
"So the nervous system and the nerve roots around the spine have been traumatised and they have some bruising and swelling around them. That is what is causing his problems at the moment.
"He is on the road to recovery, but he is going to see a consultant next week to examine and assess the full extent of the injuries. Things are improving at the moment."
ULSTER: B Cunningham; T Bowe, A Trimble, J Bell, A Maxwell; D Humphreys, I Boss; B Young, R Best, S Best (capt); J Harrison, M McCullough; N Best, S Ferris, R Wilson. Replacements: N Brady, J Fitzpatrick, R Caldwell, N McMillan, K Campbell, A Larkin, J Topping.
