Leinster back row Sean O'Brien says he may be able to play some part in the RaboDirect Pro 12 playoffs.

The Carlow man had been ruled for the rest of the season after dislocating his shoulder - an injury which also forced him to miss the Six Nations.

But today he admitted that although making the playoffs next month is a long shot , he has a chance of playing some part if his recovery goes well over the next two weeks.

"As I said a while ago, I was ahead of schedule and it has come on a lot and it's feeling pretty good at the minute. At the same time I don't want to rush back and have a setback," he told the Irish Independent.