Munster and Ireland's Keith Earls is facing up to four months out of action.

Munster have just announced that the versatile back met with a consultant in London last night after he suffered an injury to his patellar tendon during the pre-season and he is undergoing surgery on his right knee this afternoon.

The province say that they expect the player to be sidelined for between 3 and 4 months.

The lay-off means he will miss Munster's Rugby Champions Cup commitments as well as Ireland's November fixtures.

Meanwhile, Donnacha Ryan's surgery on his foot has been scheduled for this Thursday.