Andrew Trimble in action against Australia in June

Andrew Trimble has been ruled out until October after undergoing surgery to repair a fracture dislocation of a finger on his left hand.

The injury was fully investigated when the Ireland winger returned to training with Ulster this week after a break.

He sustained the problem while playing for Ireland against New Zealand in New Plymouth in June.

Trimble will miss the opening month of the Magners League season but may be back for Ulster's Heineken Cup opener.

It is anticipated that he will be missing for 10 to 12 weeks so he may be available for the Heineken Cup game against Italian side Aironi at Ravenhill on 8 October.

His absence for the start of the Magners League, includoing testing games against the Ospreys and Edinburgh, will come as a major blow to Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin.

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