Stephen Ferris has not played for Ulster since injuring his knee in January © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Stephen Ferris

Tournaments/Tours: Heineken Cup

Teams: Ireland | Northampton Saints | Ulster

Stephen Ferris has been ruled out of Ulster's Heineken Cup quarter-final showdown with Northampton Saints on Sunday week.

The Ireland flanker has been sidelined since aggravating a knee injury in his province's Heineken Cup victory over Aironi in Viadana in January and is set to undergo a further operation that rules him out of the Stadium MK clash. He had been expected to make his return to action in this weekend's Magners League meeting with the Scarlets but was left out of the squad after suffering a relapse in his rehabilitation.

Following the squad announcement, Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin hinted the 25-year-old could still play a part in the region's first European quarter-final since they lifted the trophy in 1999 but those hopes have now been dashed following a statement from the province.

"Having undergone a period of treatment and rehabilitation for the left knee injury sustained during Ulster's match against Aironi in January, Stephen was reassessed by his surgeon today (Tuesday) and a decision was taken for him to undergo arthroscopic surgery," read the statement.

"It is hoped that following this procedure a definitive diagnosis and prognosis for return to rugby will be reached however this means that Stephen will not be available for Ulster's Heineken Cup quarter-final match against Northampton Saints on 10th April."

Ferris is now facing a battle to be fit for the semi-finals of the Magners League and Heineken Cup - should the team qualify. However, there was some good news with two other medium-term injury victims, Ian Humphreys (shoulder) and BJ Botha (elbow) named in the squad to face the Scarlets along with Ireland wing Andrew Trimble, who missed out on last Friday night's 25-22 win against Glasgow at Firhill.