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Pieter Jordaan
Johannesburg - A host of injuries have added to the Lions' woes ahead of Saturday's Super Rugby match against the Stormers at Coca-Cola Park.
The team wanted to pay all their attention to getting on the winning track this week, but dealing with the injuries have become the main priority.
Hardworking flank Derick Minnie is one of five players on the latest injury list, which could lead to several changes to the starting line-up.
Minnie has been one of the Lions' most committed players in the tournament, but a knee injury may sideline him for the next four weeks.
Josh Strauss, who was the Lions' other flank against the Sharks, is concussed and therefore unable to play. Lock George Earle is sidelined for the same reason.
At the back, fullback James Kamana's tournament is over due to a broken leg.
Flyhalf André Pretorius's leg injury may also keep him out of the Stormers game.
Utility back Michael Killian's chances of playing are also in the balance after he missed the game against the Sharks with a hamstring injury. Jaco Taute may therefore have the inside track to replace Kamana at fullback.
Youngster Elton Jantjies may keep his place at flyhalf due to Pretorius's injury, though Burton Francis could be unleashed against the Stormers.
Cobus Grobbelaar is likely to return on the flank while Minnie and Strauss are sidelined.
There is a good chance that Michael Rhodes will be included on the other flank as he offers an additional lineout option.
The Lions lineout has been a major source of concern and has robbed the team of quality possession. Veteran lock David de Villiers may well be in the starting line-up.
Lions coach John Mitchell will still think about his combination's on Wednesday.
With the Lions having lost seven of their eight games in the tournament to date, changes had been anticipated in any case.
Johannesburg - A host of injuries have added to the Lions' woes ahead of Saturday's Super Rugby match against the Stormers at Coca-Cola Park.
The team wanted to pay all their attention to getting on the winning track this week, but dealing with the injuries have become the main priority.
Hardworking flank Derick Minnie is one of five players on the latest injury list, which could lead to several changes to the starting line-up.
Minnie has been one of the Lions' most committed players in the tournament, but a knee injury may sideline him for the next four weeks.
Josh Strauss, who was the Lions' other flank against the Sharks, is concussed and therefore unable to play. Lock George Earle is sidelined for the same reason.
At the back, fullback James Kamana's tournament is over due to a broken leg.
Flyhalf André Pretorius's leg injury may also keep him out of the Stormers game.
Utility back Michael Killian's chances of playing are also in the balance after he missed the game against the Sharks with a hamstring injury. Jaco Taute may therefore have the inside track to replace Kamana at fullback.
Youngster Elton Jantjies may keep his place at flyhalf due to Pretorius's injury, though Burton Francis could be unleashed against the Stormers.
Cobus Grobbelaar is likely to return on the flank while Minnie and Strauss are sidelined.
There is a good chance that Michael Rhodes will be included on the other flank as he offers an additional lineout option.
The Lions lineout has been a major source of concern and has robbed the team of quality possession. Veteran lock David de Villiers may well be in the starting line-up.
Lions coach John Mitchell will still think about his combination's on Wednesday.
With the Lions having lost seven of their eight games in the tournament to date, changes had been anticipated in any case.
