Despite suggesting that all three tour scrumhalves could be fit, the British and Irish Lions tour management have decided to wait until matchday before making a final call on No.9 for the encounter with the Southern Kings.

Lions' encounter with South Africa's newest franchise, in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday, is their last outing before the first Test against the Springboks - which takes place in Durban on Saturday, June 20.

And the last thing head coach Ian McGeechan needs now is a meltdown at scrumhalf, where all three members of the tour party are struggling with some or other niggle.

While Lions doctor Gary O'Driscoll said they are confident that all three No.9s would be available, the medical staff admitted there are "some" concerns.

The biggest worry is the ankle injury suffered by the Lions' Scottish scrumhalf Mike Blair, who injured himself in training last Friday and was ruled out of 26-23 win over Western Province at the weekend. He has received intensive treatment ever since.

England scrum half Harry Ellis played in the win at Newlands, with Shane Williams acting as cover on the replacements bench - with Welsh No.9 Mike Phillips receiving treatment for bruising and stiffness in his lower back, an injury sustained in the big 39-3 win over the Sharks last Wednesday.

It was also revealed at a medical update on Sunday that Ellis has a mild chest infection.

As a result no call is expected to be made about the scrumhalf position till Tuesday.

"Ian [McGeechan] has given the medical team until Tuesday morning to work on Mike [Blair] and he will have a full fitness test then," the team doctor, O'Driscoll said.

"We've screened all three scrum halves and we are happy they will all be available for selection later in the week [ahead of the first Test against the Boks].

"Tuesday may become a bit of an issue for the selectors and giving us the extra time to work on Mike's ankle shows they have some concerns."

Also on the doubtful list as the Lions head towards Port Elizabeth is fullback Rob Kearney, after he suffered a dead leg [hard knock] during the victory over WP. However, he is expected to be fit in time for the first Test.

Lock Nathan Hines (calf muscle) and flank Martyn Williams (stitches in his knee) have both been cleared for Tuesday's match - should they be needed.

However, both are expected to feature in the Test 22 and as a result would at best be bench options for Tuesday.

No.8 Andy Powell, who suffered a hand injury in the tour, is not in doubt either. An MRI scan revealed a "tiny little crush fracture" at the base of his second bone in his hand.

According to the medical staff it does not cause any significant problems and Powell is expected to continue, despite a small measure of discomfort.

Stephen Ferris and Leigh Halfpenny, who both suffered tour-ending injuries, are set to fly home during the next couple of days - joining Wales captain Ryan Jones in making a premature exit.

Jones joined the Lions last Thursday as replacement for Ferris - but he was ruled out of the trip barely 24 hours later.

Jones left the field with concussion in the Test between Wales and America, but miscommunication meant the proper diagnosis was not relayed to the Lions' staff until he arrived in Cape Town last Friday.

365

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