Ireland hooker Ronan Kelleher is on track to recover from injury in time to face New Zealand in Dublin on 8 November.

Leinster said Kelleher, 26, would miss approximately four to six weeks after hurting his ankle in a game against Benetton on 5 October.

With Dan Sheehan ruled out and Rob Herring having not played this season, Kelleher’s injury added to Ireland’s injury issues in the front row, but Ireland coach Simon Easterby was upbeat when asked about Kelleher on Thursday.

“For sure, he’s doing well,” said Easterby.

Connacht wing Mack Hansen and Leinster fly-half Ciaran Frawley also sat out last weekend’s games but Easterby said Ireland expect to have a “full deck” for training on Friday.

“Everyone was good today, we’re really pleased,” he added.

“The medics have done a great job on top of the provincial stuff and then the transition into national camp has been seamless in terms of those players coming in with a couple of niggles.

“So far so good and hopefully we will have a full deck to train with tomorrow and leading into next week.

“[Mack] is progressing really well. Like Ronan and Rob Herring and a few others, they are working incredibly hard and come into camp in a good place and continue that progression.”

GABRIEL JESUS knows a young star when he sees one — and has vowed to help Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri reach the top.

The Brazilian watched two of the Prem’s best — Phil Foden and Cole Palmer — come through the ranks at Manchester City.

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And he hopes his Gunners team-mate, 17, is on the same route right to the top.

Nwaneri gave yet another glimpse of his special talent by scoring a beauty in Arsenal’s 3-0 Carabao Cup win at Preston on Wednesday.

Jesus says the playmaker may have to be patient, just like Foden was at the Etihad — but is excited to see how far he can go.

He said: “I have been with some very special youngsters, like Phil and Cole — and also James McAtee at City, he is also very good.

“So to see Ethan in training and in the game is good, because I am a fan of football.

“So when I see someone young with this quality, I am happy and then obviously I want him to grow, grow, grow.

“Then if he needs something from me personally, I am here to help him because I am 27.”

Gunners starlet Nwaneri rewrote history as the Premier League’s youngest ever player at the age of 15 and 181 days -smashing the previous record held by Harvey Elliott, who was 16 years and 30 days old.

And at 17 years and 223 days, he became the youngest Arsenal player to score on his first two starts for the club — eclipsing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s previous mark of 18 years and 44 days.

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Boss Mikel Arteta believes he is ready to play more regularly — but he also has a huge array of talent to choose from.

Jesus says the youngster should look no further than last season’s PFA Player of the Year Foden for inspiration if he gets frustrated at the wait.

He said: “I saw people like Phil waiting for his chance and then now, look at Phil. He is one of the best players in the world.

“So I hope Ethan keeps his toes on the grass, works, and then it’s a question of time for him to shine.”

The wonder strike from the young Londoner overshadowed a good night for Jesus, who ended a 274-day goal drought by opening the scoring in the 3-0 Deepdale victory.

The £45million forward admits that is not good enough — but insists there are reasons behind his long wait.

He added: “It looks a long time — nine months, I understand. But people need to understand I am starting less, I am playing less.

“Last season I had a few issues with injuries and stuff that people don’t understand.

“But I am not here to make excuses. I know I am the type of player, with my quality, that has to be there and score more. I want to and I am working really hard to get there.”

When he does get his opportunities, Jesus has vowed to try his luck more often.

He said: “Now I am more focused on goals. Now I am more focused to shoot.

“What has changed for me now is I try to look for the goal.

“It’s good to be back scoring and I want to keep scoring when I have my chance.

“I am here to work, try to be fit and, when I get my chance, enjoy playing football and try to help the team win.”

Arsenal ratings vs Preston

ARSENAL cruised through their Carabao Cup tie at Preston.

The Gunners won 3-0 to set up a home tie against Crystal Palace in the next round.

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Sun Sport’s Sam Dymond reveals who has done enough to feature in the quarter final – and who might be a bit worried.

Tommy Setford – 6

A clean sheet on debut for the teenager. After a quiet first half, he looked nervous when put under pressure by Preston’s forward.

Jurrien Timber – 7

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Really looking the part in the Arsenal defence after injury. His crosses caused chaos before being replaced at half-time

William Saliba – 7

Settled back into the side after suspension, and was rarely troubled on a night where he continually swept up possession.

Jakub Kiwior – 8

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Partnered Saliba admirably in defence, but showed his attacking worth by providing two assists.

Oleksandr Zinchenko – 7

A solid display before his removal on the hour, perhaps with one eye on the weekend.

Jorginho – 7

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Kept things moving in midfield, and even showed off some sublime skill when the opportunity arose.

Mikel Merino – 7

A much more confident performance from the Spaniard following his goal on Sunday. Combined well with Martinelli and Nwaneri during the opening 45 minutes.

Ethan Nwaneri – 9

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Serenaded by the Arsenal fans as ‘one of their own’, this talented teenager once again excited Gooners everywhere.

The scorer of one sublime strike, he came so close to bagging a second goal too.

Raheem Sterling – 7

The Carabao Cup king did everything but score. Perhaps let down by his decision making, he’s looking more at home at Arsenal than he ever did at Chelsea.

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Gabriel Jesus – 8

Constantly alive to the ball inside the box, he was rewarded with a first goal since January to get the scoring underway.

Gabriel Martinelli – 8

Often Arsenal’s biggest attacking threat with his direct running and ability to beat defenders. Replaced after taking a couple of heavy knocks.

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Subs

Thomas Partey – 6

Replaced Timber at the break and once again did the job asked of him with few complaints.

Kai Havertz – 8

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Scored a superb header shortly after his arrival as a half-time sub, and was an imposing figure in both penalty areas.

Bukayo Saka – 6

More minutes in the legs for the Arsenal star as he continues the recovery from his hamstring injury.

Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6

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Misplaced a couple of passes after his introduction, but fits in well among the first-team squad.

Ayden Heaven – 6

Offered a glimpse of genuine pace as he made his senior debut for the final ten minutes.

Former English Premier League referee Martin Atkinson is to take over as VAR manager at the Scottish FA.

The 53-year-old will take up the post in early December and is replacing Jon Moss, who left after 52 days to become head of referees at Football Australia.

Atkinson was an official in England’s top flight for 20 years and refereed the 2015 Europa League final.

He will leave his role as select group manager at Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to begin work alongside SFA head of refereeing Willie Collum.

“I am delighted to appoint someone of Martin’s calibre,” said Collum. “I did not expect to be recruiting for that position again so quickly, but Jon received a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and went with our best wishes.

“I am pleased Martin has agreed to continue the considerable work undertaken to date in optimising our VAR operation and I’m sure our VAR officials and match officials generally will look forward to working with someone of Martin’s experience.”

HE IS the Rory Delap of the National League — and can hurl a football further than most can kick it.

Tom Tonks intends to put ­Huddersfield through hell with his long-throws in the FA Cup at The Lamb tonight.

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Tamworth’s not-so-secret weapon has also earned a reputation for scoring spectacular long-range goals which have made him a huge hit on social media.

So Terriers’ Aussie goalkeeper Jacob Chapman is sure to be tested whenever Tonks picks up the ball.

Former Stoke midfielder Delap made long-throws fashionable under boss Tony Pulis during their promotion to the Premier League in 2008 and their run to the FA Cup final in 2011.

Tonks, 33, said: “I’ve been hurling in throw-ins since primary school.

“My headteacher at primary school said to me: ‘You never threw that in,’ because he had his back to me and assumed I’d kicked it.

“So I asked him if he wanted me to do it again and he couldn’t believe the distance.

“I’ve had a lot of joy with it since and get called the Rory Delap of the National League but I wouldn’t mind his wages from a few years ago! I’ve never actually measured how far I can throw the ball, I just launch it as far as I can.

“The lads sometimes ask me to take something off it and keep it between the goalposts, because I can deliver it well beyond the back post if I want.

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“I can see it in the faces of opposing defenders and goalies — they absolutely hate it.”

Teams are obviously now planning for Tonks’ arrival and Huddersfield will no doubt be well aware of it on the artifical surface at The Lamb.

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And since a 7-0 defeat at Barnet in August, the National League North champions have shown they have what it takes to compete at a higher level.

Tonks added: “When we played Barnet, we got a bit of a turning over.

“But they are full-time and spent a day of analysis on us.

“Their players were actually told NOT to give away any throw-ins in their half. Fair play to them I don’t think I took one in the 90 minutes!”

While Jurgen Klopp famously employed a throw-in coach at Liverpool, Tonks has never been taught how to perfect his technique.

He said: “It’s just natural to me. I just do the same weights as the other lads.

“I’m not chucking medicine balls around the gym or anything like that.

“I’d probably get banned for putting the ball through the wall if I did!

JACK OF ALL TRADES

“It’s more to do with timing. Someone asked me the other day how many assists I’ve had but I’ve never kept count.”

As one of the few part-time teams in the National League, 5am gym sessions before work are not uncommon for Tonks and his team-mates.

But, as well as the throws, Tonks is more than useful with his feet.

A David Beckham-esque goal from the halfway line he scored for Stourbridge against Peterborough Sports in the FA Cup went viral.

He revealed: “That got a million views in a week and my phone didn’t stop ringing for two weeks.

“You can hear team-mate Luke Benbow’s mum screaming on the audio. That’s a funny listen on Youtube, well worth 20 seconds of anyone’s time!”

Tonks also scored a screamer for Tamworth earlier this season to seal a stoppage-time win at Braintree.

He charged into a tackle on the right touchline and, when his opponent pulled out of the challenge, Tonks sent the ball sailing over the goalie’s head from 40 yards and found the top corner.

Hopefully big Dave is looking down and I can get another goal for him on Friday night

Tom Tonks

Tonks added: “My phone blew up after that as well!

“I had a tweet from some Italian sports news station and someone in Kuwait too. Mad.

“I’ve watched it a few times since and I’m still asking myself how it actually went in!

“It was also special because it was my first goal after my grandad passed away.

“He used to love coming to watch me. He’s been to so many cold parks in step six of non-league and used to be instantly noticeable in his white vest!

“Hopefully big Dave is looking down and I can get another goal for him on Friday night.”

Tonks is a Wolves fan and has a score to settle with Huddersfield.

He went to a Premier League game at Molineux when Town’s Aaron Mooy put two free-kicks past Rui Patricio in 2018.

Part-time Tonks, who also sells sandwiches and sausage rolls from a food truck, added: “I’ll never forget that so I owe them one.

“It’s going to be very tough but we’ve had some good results at home and fancy ourselves against anyone at The Lamb.”

With England’s Test tour of Pakistan only finishing on Saturday, it meant a number of key players were not considered for this Caribbean tour, comprising three ODIs and five T20s.

Harry Brook, Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson are among the players skipping this series before the pre-Christmas Test tour of New Zealand.

Meanwhile regular captain Jos Buttler was forced to miss out with a calf injury, while veterans such as Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood have not featured since last autumn’s World Cup.

It meant England fielded an inexperienced line-up in Antigua, including four debutants in Turner, Cox, and all-rounders Dan Mousley and Jamie Overton.

Indeed spinner Adil Rashid outnumbered the caps of the rest of the line-up put together, with 140 to 127.

Furthermore, some of England’s debutants lacked experience of 50-over cricket, with Cox and Mousley playing their first List A games in 20 months and three years respectively.

It has arguably left them unprepared for the challenges of the longer white-ball format, with former England captain Sir Alastair Cook noting on TNT Sports “there’s no experience of working out different situations, for when you’re thrown into international cricket under increased scrutiny”.

Even those with greater experience, such as the 30-year-old Overton, looked rusty, as the Surrey player was dismissed lbw for a first-ball duck by Motie.

With so many absentees and numerous debutants jammed between Test tours, the series has the air of an afterthought.

But this is the ninth of only 14 ODIs scheduled between the World Cup and February’s Champions Trophy – England must emerge from the series with valuable experience or they could face another embarrassing international tournament exit.