There is an update on Stephen Ferris’ ankle injury and it’s not good news

Ireland and Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris could well miss the rest of the season and the Lions tour because of the ankle injury that has wreaked havoc with his season to date.

Ferris had been hopeful of returning to play some part in Ireland’s Six Nations and Ulster’s Heineken Cup campaigns, but that seems an unlikely prospect after Ulster issued an update on his progress this afternoon.

A statement on Ulster’s website read: “Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris underwent surgery in December to repair ankle tendon damage that he sustained in a RaboDirect PRO12 match against Edinburgh.

“The 27 year-old was reviewed this week (Tuesday) as part of his ongoing rehabilitation programme. In that review it was discovered that, although Stephen has made excellent progress in his recovery, some minor issues remain.

“As a result, the specialist medical-staff treating Stephen are considering several options to ensure that he makes a full and complete return to play.

“A decision on a course of action will be made in the coming weeks.”

While Ulster’s statement doesn’t reach any definitive conclusions, the fact that there is no date forecast for his return raises concerns, as does the following tweet from BBC Sport’s Thomas Niblock.

The news on Ferris’ injury is the latest in a series of cruel blows for the flanker, who has had to spend a lot of time on the sidelines in recent years and has been a huge loss to both Ulster and Ireland when he’s been absent.

Fingers crossed he receives some more positive news in the next few weeks and that we see him back doing what he does best – namely, steamrolling the opposition – sooner rather than later.