MORAY LOW has handed Glasgow a massive boost by declaring himself fit for Friday's RaboDirect PRO12 crunch with European champions Leinster at Scotstoun.

The 27-year-old suffered medial ligament damage to a knee in the September 8 defeat by Scarlets, but says he is now ready to end his 10-week injury torment against the side from Dublin.

Canadian try king DTH van der Merwe has also made a full recovery from the hamstring injury he suffered at the start of October and is in the frame for a start against Joe Schmidt's men.

Glasgow head coach Gregor Townsend has also been boosted by the return of Ruaridh Jackson, Alex Dunbar and Tom Ryder from Scotland duty.

Low is now desperate to be unleashed against Leinster.

The powerhouse prop said: "Although injuries are part and parcel of professional rugby, this one was a really frustrating affair.

"To find myself sidelined for 10 weeks just a fortnight into the season was a real hard one to take, but it is at times like that when you have to be at your most professional.

"So I was determined to do my rehab as best as I could and now we have some huge games coming up and I am back in the frame at exactly the right time.

"So I just want to get out there and get back into the games and do my best for Glasgow."

The Leinster match marks the start of the second section of the campaign and precedes a trip to Munster in PRO12 action.

With a Heineken Cup home-and-away double-header with Castres to follow before the annual 1872 Cup derby clashes with Edinburgh, Low has no doubt the key stretch of the season is upon us.

He said: "A lot of people tend to say that the last six weeks of the campaign is the business part of the season, but I am not so sure I agree.

"You look at the games we have coming up and how we go in them will pretty much decide how the PRO12 pans out and definitely whether we stay involved in Europe in one form or another.

"So for me Leinster is massive because it is both at home and can give us the best possible platform into the key part of the season."

Pat MacArthur, Duncan Weir and Byron McGuigan are all closing in on a return although Friday night may be too soon for them.