Ulster head coach Richie Murphy says he expects centre James Hume to be missing for “a number of weeks” after the centre was ruled out of the province’s season opener.
Hume suffered a hamstring injury in training this week before Friday’s United Rugby Championship opener against Edinburgh at Affidea Stadium (19:45 BST).
His absence will come as a major blow to Murphy, who is already missing midfield options Jude Postlethwaite and Stewart Moore through injury.
Centre David Hawkshaw arrived during the summer.
“James picked up a muscle injury during the week which was an awful pity because he’d put in a huge amount of work and was probably looking the fittest he’d looked in a number of years,” Murphy told BBC Sport NI.
“It’s disappointing for James and for us as a team.
“But one man goes down, the next man stands up so it’ll be an opportunity for someone else.”
The Ulster coach added that the 28-year-old could return to action before the conclusion of the series of matches leading up to the break for Ireland’s November internationals.
“He’ll be out for a number of weeks. It’s hard to say at the moment, it’s very early in that injury. There’s a possibility he’ll be back before the end of the block but we’re not sure at the moment.”
A squad update issued by Ulster Rugby on Wednesday indicated that three other players – Juarno Augustus and summer signings Matthew Devine and Keynan Knox – had participated in team training after overcoming their respective injuries.