Cape Town - Golden Lions captain Warren Whiteley will remain sidelined for their Currie Cup clash against the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
After failing to make the Springboks’ final 31-man Rugby World Cup squad, the No 8 was set to make his comeback against the EP Kings at Ellis Park last weekend.
He was initially named to captain the Lions against the Kings, but then strained his calf muscle the Thursday before the game, with centre Howard Mnisi taking over the captaincy duties.
The Lions medical team on Tuesday announced that Whiteley would still be sidelined for Saturday’s trip to Pretoria.
In other injury news, prop Julian Redelinghuys has a chest injury and will miss training on Tuesday. He will have to pass a late fitness test on Thursday in order to be selected to face the Bulls.
Lock Martin Muller (ankle) would also need to pass a fitness test on Thursday.
Among the backs, centre Stokkies hanekom (jaw) and flyhalf Jaco van der Walt (chest) should be available but will be kept from making contact in the early parts of the week, while wing Anthony Volmink is out with concussion.
The Lions will name their team on Thursday, with Saturday's clash at Loftus Versfeld scheduled for 19:00.