Munster could be without Jerry Flannery for their final two Heineken Cup group games after the star hooker suffered yet another injury setback on Sunday.
The former Heineken Cup winners travel to RC Toulon and play host to London Irish later this month as they look to continue their quest for a hat-trick of continental crowns.
But they could be forced to do so without one of their most charismatic figures after the Ireland international hobbled off during the closing stages of the Magners League win over Ulster at Thomond Park.
The 2006 and 2008 European Champions stretched their lead at the top of the Magners League table thanks to three late tries but their 10th win of the season was marred by Flanerry's unfortunate departure in Limerick.
Flannery came on as a second-half replacement for Damien Varley in the first game of the New Year but he was helped off with just moments remaining of the four-try triumph.
The 32-year-old appeared to damage his calf, raising fears that he could face another spell on the sidelines following an injury-plagued 18 months.
Fortunately the injury wasn't to the same calf muscle that had seen him miss much of the season so far but there are still concerns that he could sit out the Heineken Cup Round 5 and 6 encounters and the 2011 Six Nations.
Munster are now awaiting the results of a scan, with head coach Tony McGahan offering Flannery his full support but unable to give any more information on the extent of the injury.
"He's quite upset and everybody is feeling for him," said McGahan.
"He's worked really hard to get back to where he was, and there's no doubt that he'll get back from this one as well."
Flannery was making his first Magners League appearance of this term and had already seen his first comeback blighted by a reoccurrence of his initial injury in the Heineken Cup win over Toulon in October.