All Blacks loose forward Liam Squire is in doubt for New Zealand's June series with France, struggling to recover from a broken thumb.
Squire, 27, was expected to return for the Highlanders against the Sharks in Durban next week, having broken his thumb against the Crusaders earlier this season.
However, Highlanders assistant Mark Hammett said this morning that things haven't gone to plan in the loose forward's recovery.
"He had his cast taken off and under another scan it hadn't quite set how it was supposed to," Hammett said.
"Unfortunately, it had to be reset, and that effectively reset the start date, as well."
The news comes as another blow to the All Blacks, with captain Kieran Read also in a fitness race to face France at Eden Park on June 9.
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