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Ireland and Munster lock Paul O'Connell is struggling to overcome a back injury which has kept the former Lions captain out of action since October.

O'Connell's treatment for a lower back injury is "progressing satisfactorily", Munster said on Tuesday.

The club added that O'Connell will see a specialist for a further review in the New Year, and therefore remain sidelined for some time.

O'Connell missed Ireland's summer tour of New Zealand with a knee injury.

The forward's last involvement with Munster was in the Heineken Cup game against Edinburgh at Thomond Park on 19 October.

O'Connell trained with the Irish squad ahead of the November internationals but missed all three games because of the back injury.