Lions legend Brian O’Driscoll is in high spirits after successful surgery to correct nerve damage in his shoulder.
The 2005 Lions skipper, who also won Test caps on the 2001 and 2009 tours, has his heart set on a return to action towards the end of this season.
And Leinster coach Joe Schmidt insists the star centre is determined to come back as good as ever despite critics having suggested his career at the highest level could be over.
"He's really happy. The medical staff are really happy. It went really well," was Schmidt’s assessment of the operation.
"He's in good spirits and is already talking about rehab. I don't know how soon he can start that but that’s the nature of him. He's pretty determined that he is going to be as good as ever."
O’Driscoll is certain to miss the RBS 6 Nations but there is still a small chance he may return in time for the latter stages of the Heineken Cup.
A more realistic comeback date is Ireland’s summer tour of New Zealand when Declan Kidney’s troops will face the All Blacks in a three-Test series starting on June 9.
