Kilkenny’s Richie Hogan is an injury doubt for the All-Ireland SHC semi-final against Cork at Croke Park on Sunday week.
The excellent Danesfort forward, a star from the bench in the recent Leinster final win over Galway, could miss out against old foes the Rebels after he picked up an ankle injury last week while training.
"It's a major worry for us that Richie can't train at the moment," Kilkenny selector Martin Fogarty was quoted as saying by the Irish Examiner.
"And we don't know when he will be able to resume training. So with the semi-final less than a fortnight away, it doesn't give Richie much time to get himself right for the match."
A further worry for manager Brian Cody ahead of the potentially penultimate step of a historic five-in-a-row of All-Ireland’s is midfielder Michael Rice.
The All Star suffered a hand injury in Carrickshock’s senior league club game against Erin's Own earlier in July, though Hogan is said to be the bigger concern right now.