New tour blow for the Lions

Lewis Moody plunged the British and Irish Lions into a fresh injury crisis today as it emerged he is fighting to stay on the tour.

The England flanker was injured in a training session yesterday and was immediately ruled out of tomorrow's game with Wellington. He has also been scratched from the list of available players to face Otago on Saturday.

Moody's knee will be assessed by the Lions medical team tomorrow morning but it is clear he is battling to avoid being ruled out for the three-Test series against the All Blacks which starts a week on Saturday.

Gareth Jenkins, the Lions midweek coach said: "Any setback is of concern to the squad. We are going to look at his progress on a daily basis but he will be assessed to try to determine the exact extent of the injury."

It is a huge blow for the Lions, with their back-row options already reduced after Lawrence Dallaglio was ruled out of the tour with a broken ankle.

Wales captain Michael Owen, another No8 option, is unavailable as he is returning to New Zealand after flying home for the birth of his second child.

The injury worries are further complicated by prop Andrew Sheridan's injury sustained in the first half of the defeat by New Zealand Maori on Saturday.

The loss of Moody would leave the Lions with just two specialist open-side flankers: Neil Back and Martyn Williams. If Moody goes home, London Wasps pair Joe Worsley and Johnny O'Connor would top the list of potential replacements.