Leigh Halfpenny has undergone more surgery on his knee injury, according to reports in France.
The Wales full-back needed a further operation on his cruciate ligament and is now expected to miss the remainder of the season for his club Toulon.
That would almost certainly rule him out of the Wales tour to New Zealand in June and the three Tests against the All Blacks.
While Toulon were in European Champions Cup quarter-final action this weekend, Halfpenny — on crutches — was back in Wales watching his home club Gorseinon take on Llangennech.
The Lions star has not played since sustaining the injury playing for Wales against Italy last September on the eve of the World Cup.
The 27-year-old had hoped to be back playing this month, with a Top14 comeback against Pau on Saturday pencilled in.
But reports in the French media claim he could be out for another to three months, raising serious doubts as to whether he will be involved in Wales’ summer tour.
In Halfpenny’s absence, Scarlets full-back Liam Williams impressed in the No.15 jersey for Wales during the 2016 Six Nations.
Williams himself has suffered his injury issues this season, but his region are hoping he will be fit for Saturday’s crucial Pro12 clash with Glasgow at Parc y Scarlets.
