Leinster hit with comings & goings.

Byline: By MICHAEL SCULLY

CHANGE is in the air at Leinster - but while coach Michael Cheika is losing key backroom men, players Ollie le Roux and Chris Whitaker look set to stay.

The news that the two veterans are almost certain to be with the province next season par tly of fsets the disappointment of losing backs coach David Knox and forwards maestro Mike Brewer at the campaign's end.

Speculation is now rife that Alan Gaffney is poised to join the province to assist Cheika but that all depends on Ireland's search for a backs coach.

"I know there has been a lot of talk about him and Ireland as well but I wouldn't be able to talk about that," Cheika said.

"But I am definitely looking around at this stage. You have to be looking around for players and coaches at this stage of the year. We have a process in place and I have help in that with a committee. It's a good process."

Cheika explained that Knox, who is credited with changing Leinster into a more dynamic side, wants to return home to his native Australia. Kiwi Brewer, meanwhile, is keen to step up a level in coaching terms. "For a while, Mike has spoken to me about wanting to be a head coach and that is normal," said Cheika. "People develop and it would be nice if you could bring them through to take over your spot but it doesn't always work that way.

"If Mike does go it is because he wants to go down that road and these things happen."

Leinster return to action this week when they face main Magners League rivals Cardiff Blues at the RDS on Saturday. With Leinster already out of Heineken Cup contention, this top of the table clash takes on extra importance and already 14,000 tickets have been sold.

It is that buzz that has impressed former South African test prop Le Roux since he joined on a sevenmonth contract in October.

And the 34-year-old is ready to put pen to paper on an extension.

He said: "I think this team is a really good team. We've got so much that we can improve on still and in that sense I think I can add a lot of value just in small things."

Whitaker claims that he hasn't put thought into his future as he returns to the squad for the first time since breaking his arm against Toulouse in November.

But Cheika wanted to keep the former Wallaby international on board even if he had managed to cap ture Eoin Reddan from Wasps.

Cheika said: "We want strength in the squad if we are going to compete at the top level.

"I'd like a player like Eoin, an international, to come and play with us. But in fairness to the guy he felt Wasps helped him get to where he is and he wants to be loyal to them.

"That's a very admirable quality. It's a professional sport, you try to get a player and you don't get him and good luck to him, I hope it goes well.

"He has added a different dimension to the Irish team. He has got improvements in his own game that I think that he can make but he can be a real super player. It's a shame but we're on to the next thing now."

Shane Horgan, Leo Cullen, Luke Fitzgerald and Cian Healy also return for the Cardiff game.

Cheika said: "Cardiff have been very close behind us and we beat them away from home so they will be very fired up.

"They know that it is very impor tant in the context of the league to beat us."

CAPTION(S):

FOCUSED: Chris Whitaker back in training yesterday