By Cian O'Connell

Darragh Fives is a serious injury doubt ahead of Waterford's Munster SHC Final clash against Tipperary at the Gaelic Grounds on July 10.

Waterford boss Derek McGrath confirmed that Fives has suffered a torn quad muscle. "Being one hundred per cent honest, he's no more than fifty-fifty," McGrath said.

"He has a torn quad muscle, going into his hip flexor. He's obviously getting as much treatment as possible, but it'll be a last-minute call. If he's playing we'll name him on the Friday night, but if he's not we won't name him.

"It's dodgy given his history with injuries. He doesn't recover as quickly as the others. I'm slow to say we'd be hopeful, it's fifty-fifty at best.

"The big problem is that he won't have done anything for the four weeks since the Clare game. We're trying to marry that with risking him. It's a big call.

"He'd be a huge loss. He's a dominant player - good in the air, he's alternated in different roles for us this year, he's given us something different. He's aggressive . . . it's a pity because he's on top of his game, but we'll give him every chance."

McGrath reckons that Tommy Ryan and Stephen Bennett will be available for selection, while Austin Gleeson is recovering from a knock too.

"We're good, Tommy Ryan had a broken thumb and wasn't in the 26 for the Clare game, and he's had the cast taken off. He'll be available for selection if he gets another week of training into him.

"Stephen Bennett came on briefly the last day, he's fully recovered. Austin (Gleeson) got a bang on the knee last weekend in a club game against Roanmore, and initially we were worried, but that turned out to just be bruising. He'll be good to go.”