MUNSTER are sweating on the availability of tighthead BJ Botha but Ireland ace Conor Murray could return for Sunday's clash with Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade.

The Dragons head into the game (kick-off 2.30pm) on the back of a demoralising 32-13 loss to Edinburgh at Murrayfield while the Irish province are also smarting after a defeat.

They lost to Connacht at Thomond Park for the first time since 1986 and will be looking to get their Guinness Pro12 title challenge back on track in Newport.

Munster sit third in the table and will want to get their derby defeat out of their system before crunch European Champions Cup clashes with Leicester.

Head coach Anthony Foley said: "I'm expecting a positive reaction. I think we'll get back into it this week and make sure we're properly refocused after this.

"You can't get too high when you win, you can't get too low when you lose, but we need to make sure we get back on the road right away next week over in Rodney Parade which is a very difficult place to play and win."

Murray could return from a bruised foot for the Dragons encounter but Botha must go through the return to play protocols after replaced at half-time against Connacht because of a concussion.

Fly-half Tyler Bleyendaal, a summer recruit from New Zealand, has returned to training along with hooker Mike Sherry.

The Dragons have won just one of their last nine encounters with the Munstermen – a thrilling 30-24 success in Newport in April, 2013.

Last season they were thumped 38-12 at Rodney Parade in November and 50-27 in Cork on final day, a late rally once the game was gone ensuring they left Musgrave Park with a four-try bonus point.