Both O'Connell and Earls, who are troubled with groin injuries, have been omitted from the Munster squad for Saturday evening's crunch Magners League clash with the Ospreys at Thomond Park (6.30pm).
With Munster's Heineken Cup clash with Biarritz in San Sebastian on Sunday, May 2 looming large on the horizon, the pair are facing an uphill battle to be available for the semi-final fixture.
Nick Williams, who starred in Munster's win over Connacht at the weekend in Galway, is also ruled out of Saturday's Thomond Park fixture with a similar injury.
Munster manager Payne is confident that wingers Doug Howlett and Ian Dowling will be available for the Biarritz clash although neither player will be involved in the Magners League game this weekend as they are recovering from injury.
While Payne said he remained confident both O'Connell and Earls would be available for the Biarritz clash, the fact that neither will see any action against the Ospreys must be of concern.
"Keith Earls and Paul O'Connell have groin injuries. They are hangovers from the Six Nations internationals," Shaun Payne said.
"Groin strains are strange injuries. They can flare up and then settle down. It is an injury which needs rest. We are trying to manage Keith's workload. We would be confident both will be available, but it is not like a broken arm which heals within a certain amount of time. These are difficult injuries and very frustrating injuries for us to deal with. It is a waiting and seeing situation.
"There will be a cut-off point by which we will make a decision (over Biarritz match). We need them training. Obviously you cannot go into a game without any preparation work at all."
In-form Munster can take a giant step towards securing their place in the knock-out stages of the Magners League with victory over the Ospreys in their penultimate regular season game.
Munster and the Ospreys are deadlocked on 43 points, but the Welsh side occupy second place as a result of their superior points difference.
Munster, featuring three players making their competitive debuts in the backline, maintained their play-off hopes with a gritty victory over Connacht on Sunday.
Manager Payne admitted the victory in Galway was a pleasing one.
"It was a very satisfying win, I have to say. We all had big smiles on our faces after that, especially with such a changed squad form the week before. Some of the young lads were outstanding. The forwards in particular I must say were very good," Payne admitted.
"The Ospreys game was always going to be important for us, for the reasons stated that it is leading up to a semi-final game.
"At this time of the year there are all sorts of permutations going on. Every single game is very important."
Meanwhile Munster Rugby have announced that tickets for the province's Heineken Cup semi-final showdown with Biarritz in San Sebastian on Sunday, May 2 have gone on public sale.
Match tickets, priced between €15 and €45, can be purchased online from munsterrugby.ie from the Ticket Office at Thomond Park in Limerick or from the Munster Rugby office on Tramore Road in Cork. The online sale will close at 2pm this Saturday as unsold tickets to the ERC on Monday next.
Munster squad v Ospreys: Alan Quinlan, Billy Holland, Damien Varley, Danny Barnes, Dave Foley, Dave Ryan, David Wallace, Denis Hurley, Donncha O'Callaghan, James Coughlan, Jean de Villiers, Jerry Flannery, John Hayes, Julien Brugnaut, Lifeimi Mafi, Marcus Horan, Mick O'Driscoll, Niall Ronan, Paul Warwick, Peter O'Mahony, Peter Stringer, Ronan O'Gara, Scott Deasy, Simon Zebo, Tom Gleeson, Tomas O'Leary and Tony Buckley.
Junior inter-pros
THE Munster junior side begin their inter-provincial championship campaign away to Leinster at Seapoint this Saturday.
The Munster squad selection process started back in early December with more than 80 players attending screening sessions. Team manager, Tony Daly explained that the squad draws players from Divisions One, Two and Three of the Munster Junior League with 13 clubs represented.
Munster Junior Panel - Forwards: Martin Clifford (Cobh Pirates), Glen Deacon (Waterpark), Trevor Downes (Kilrush), Edward English (Kanturk), Daragh Fitzgerald (St Mary's), J.J. Frahill (Cobh Pirates), John Gilmartin (Tralee), David Hogan (St Mary's), Thomas Kevany (Cobh Pirates), Joe McSwiney (Waterpark), Barry Moloney (Cashel), Declan Moloney (Newcastle West), Jack O'Sullivan (Kilfeacle & District), Philly Ryan (Cashel), captain; Barry Wright (Kinsale), Tadgh Wright (Kinsale). Backs: Liam Casey (Galbally), Barry Gibbons (St. Mary's), Michael Hickey (Cashel), David Joyce (Clonmel), Gerry Martin (Newcastle West), Daragh Meade (Kanturk), Peter Murphy (Kinsale), Daragh O'Brien (Cashel), Stephen O'Brien (Old Christians), Pat O'Connor (Cashel), Diarmuid O'Connor (Cashel), Brian Silke (Cashel), Michael Twohig (Kanturk).
Team Manager: Tony Daly. Selectors: Kevin O'Dwyer, Christy McNamara; Masseur: Steve Mulvihill.
Fixtures - Saturday, April 24 v Leinster, Seapoint RFC, Dublin. Saturday, May 1 v Ulster, Abbeyfeale RFC. Saturday, May 8 v Connacht, Ballincollig RFC.
Jerome O'Connell
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