The Down senior football management team are hopeful that forward Danny Hughes will be fit to face Kerry in early March.
The Mourne County attacker will not be part of Ulster’s side when they face Connacht in Sunday’s interprovincial semi-final after suffering a hamstring strain, however the additional two weeks thereafter should give him enough time to be available for the Allianz Football League Division One clash against the Kingdom.
Down county official Paul Rooney told The Sun: "He has a slight hamstring strain so he has had to withdraw for the weekend.
"Hopefully he'll be okay for our next league match."
Kerry visit Newry on March 4 with both sides on two points from two games. Kerry have beaten Dublin but lost to Armagh, while Down have recorded a victory over Donegal but been humbled by Cork.