Ulster have been rocked by the news that Andrew Trimble has been ruled out of action for between ten and 12 weeks through injury.
The versatile winger returned home from Ireland's summer tour of the southern hemisphere with an injured finger sustained in the 66-28 defeat at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth on June 12.
His province have now revealed that Trimble suffered a fracture dislocation, meaning an operation is required.
As a result, the player is now facing up to three months on the sidelines, ruling him out of the opening rounds of the Magners League and the Heineken Cup.