Leo Cullen is backing Johnny Sexton to return for the Six Nations - but has no exact time-frame for when he will play again.
However the Leinster head coach doesn't expect that Sexton, who suffered a knee injury in last Saturday's Champions Cup win at Northampton Saints, will play for the province ahead of the championship.
"Yeah, well, you would love if he was back, but it’s probably more realistic for Ireland, I think," stated Cullen.
For Ireland's new boss Andy Farrell, the Six Nations kicks off on February 1 at home to Scotland, and Sexton is in a serious race against time to be fit for that encounter.
During the week there was varying reports that the 34-year-old out-half would be fit again in six to eight weeks or eight to 10 weeks.
Ireland then face Wales seven days later at the Aviva Stadium, but then don't play again until they meet England at Twickenham a fortnight later.
Speaking after Leinster's Captain's Run at the Aviva Stadium this afternoon, Cullen said: "Yeah, he’s seeing somebody in the UK and he’ll go back there just to get an update in a couple of weeks.
"But he’s working hard to try and get himself back as quickly as possible, but he won’t be a million miles away hopefully."
However when asked for a time-frame for when Sexton will be back, Cullen replied: "Not exactly, no. He’s making good progress.
"You could see he twisted his knee, and like I said he’s seeing a specialist. He’s under control and on the mend now".
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