John Kelly sustained a rib injury in the win over Italy

Irish wing John Kelly's hopes of playing in the World Cup remain alive despite being stretchered off in Saturday's win over Italy at Thomond Park.

Kelly will be unavailable for Saturday's game against Scotland at Murrayfield after sustaining a rib injury in the 61-6 win in Limerick.

The Munster back has a sprung rib cartilage but the diagnosis is that he should still be fit for the World Cup.

Kelly is by no means a certainty to make the plane for Australia but he did his hopes of selection no harm by scoring a try against the Italians prior to picking up the knock.

A further diagnosis of his injury will be made later this week.

Victor Costello also went off with a finger injury against the Italians but he will be available for the Murrayfield contest as he has just suffered a dislocation.

Fit-again fly-half Ronan O'Gara has been included in Ireland's 22-man squad for the game against the Scots.

O'Gara had wrist surgery after Ireland's summer tour to Australia, Samoa and Tonga and has now been given the all-clear to return to action.

There are still a number of positions up for grabs as regards World Cup selection Eddie O'Sullivan

He missed Saturday's win over Italy but now returns to the squad along with Peter Stringer, Kevin Maggs, Anthony Horgan, Simon Best, Paul Connell, Malcolm O'Kelly and David Wallace.

He will probably start and give Ulster's David Humphreys a break following playing a full part of the last two internationals.

Coach Eddie O'Sullivan said that a squad with a "strong spine" had been chosen for the Murrayfield game.

"But I would emphasise that there are still a number of positions up for grabs as regards World Cup selection," added the Irish coach.

In addition to the 22-man squad for the Murrayfield game, eight other players have been asked to attend training with the Irish squad this week.

These include Ulster backs Tyrone Howe and Jonathan Bell plus Lions centre Rob Henderson.

In addition to Kelly, John Hayes and Shane Horgan were not considered because of injury.

Gary Longwell has not been included in the squad for the Scotland game, but he is still expected to be included in the 30-man World Cup squad.

Ireland squad for Scotland game:
Simon Best, Shane Byrne, Reggie Corrigan, Victor Costello, Kieron Dawson, Simon Easterby, Marcus Horan, Eric Miller, Paul O'Connell, Malcolm O'Kelly, David Wallace, Keith Wood, Girvan Dempsey, Guy Easterby, Denis Hickie, Anthony Horgan, David Humphreys, Brian O'Driscoll, Ronan O'Gara, Kevin Maggs, Geordan Murphy, Peter Stringer.