Ireland's Kelleher on track to return against All Blacks

Kelleher has not played since being forced off injured early in Leinster's win over Benetton on 5 October

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."

'Doris captaincy an easy transition'

Easterby was the first Ireland coach to speak to the media following Andy Farrell's squad announcement for the November Tests against the All Blacks, Argentina, Fiji and Australia last week.

Caelan Doris has been appointed captain for the series with Peter O'Mahony, who was skipper for Ireland's Six Nations title win and summer tour to South Africa earlier this year, expected to join up with the squad if he comes through Munster's fixture against the All Blacks XV on Saturday without any issues after missing the last few weeks with a hamstring problem.

Easterby says back rower Doris' promotion has been an "easy transition".

"He's been named the Leinster captain and has been in the leadership group for a good while now and progressing in terms of that role within that group," said Easterby, who will be Ireland interim head coach while Farrell is leading the British and Irish Lions next year.

"I guess it was an easy transition for Faz [Farrell] to make in terms of giving him that position across the autumn series.

"Pete's position was that we wanted to make sure he gets game time and he'll do that this weekend in the Munster jersey and will hopefully come into camp at some point if he gets through the weekend. It was an easy transition I guess."