Will Doris return in time to face All Blacks?

There was no great surprise to see Caelan Doris' name in the Ireland squad for the autumn internationals.

While Doris has not played since early May because of a shoulder injury that required surgery, the back row has returned to Leinster training and has been "trending well" according to the province's head coach Leo Cullen.

Doris' inclusion is certainly a boost, but the 27-year-old lining out against the All Blacks 17 days' time seems unlikely given the amount of time he has spent on the sidelines.

Then again, Dan Sheehan recovered from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in just six months, so it would be foolish to write Doris off at this stage.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell can rest somewhat easy, though, knowing that he has Jack Conan ready to deputise for Doris. Conan is a six-Test Lion, so his credentials are beyond reproach at this stage.

Farrell's injury list is far from disastrous, but Hugo Keenan and Joe McCarthy are nailed-on starters, so their absences must be addressed.

Keenan's unavailability has been known for some time, and while Jamie Osborne is a clear replacement at full-back, if he is tried out in midfield, one of Mack Hansen, Jacob Stockdale or Ciaran Frawley will be asked to take the 15 shirt.

Jack Crowley also made cameos at full-back during the Six Nations but he is again poised to take on Sam Prendergast in the battle for the 10 jersey.

James Ryan is the obvious replacement for McCarthy in the second row and will expect to start against the All Blacks in Chicago, but Thomas Ahern is a relatively new face who could force his way into the reckoning over the course of the campaign that also includes home games against Japan, Australia and South Africa.