Jonathan Sexton is in a positive frame of mind in his race to be fit for the start of Ireland's Six Nations bid.
Sexton will see a specialist again this week to determine when he can resume training after the knee injury he suffered in the Champions Cup victory at Northampton Saints on December 7.
He is not expected to line out for Leinster between now and Ireland's Six Nations kick-off against Scotland in Dublin on February 1.
"He’s seeing a specialist this week and from that review, we’ll see, so we can’t speculate anything else really," remarked Leinster assistant coach Robin Bryde.
In a statement, the province said that the 34-year-old was "progressing well" and, asked to elaborate on what that meant, McBryde replied: "Well, he seems in a good Christmas spirit!
"He’s in a positive mind frame. When you talk to him, he’s not down in the dumps dragging himself around here.
"He’s an energiser, he still contributes to meetings. When you’ve got an injury, I think mentally you’ve got to be in a good place, first of all, and that is reflected in your demeanour.
"If that’s part of his progression, then he’s progressing well."
The forwards coach points out that Sexton has been helpful to the Blues' other no 10s, Ross and Harry Byrne, and Ciaran Frawley.
“You’re constantly looking for good peers within the group who can develop the young players coming through," he said.
"The best players are always the ones who are going to do that without fear of any pressure on themselves as well. And Johnny definitely falls in that category.
"You’ve got to be a general, pick you head up away from the coal face and scan and see what opportunities there are, deliver clear and concise messages on the field, pretty much steering the ship with your scrum half.
"It’s the nature of the position that demands you are a bit more vocal and be ready to step up and be shot down, than you would be in other position."
Meanwhile, Blues centre Rory O'Loughlin has undergone a shoulder operation and will be out of action for approximately 12 weeks, while prop Michael Bent picked up a calf injury in training and will miss Saturday's interpro clash with Connacht at the RDS.
Leo Cullen may have Joe Tomane back involved for the encounter, as he will train fully this week following a hamstring injury, while scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park, who complained of feeling unwell before Saturday night's win over Munster, is expected to be available.
Second row Ross Molony came through the Munster game without any problems following his recovery from a foot injury.
