British & Irish Lion Dan Lydiate has been described as "integral" to Wales’ chances against South Africa this summer.
Lydiate played in all three Tests against Australia last summer as the Lions secured an historic series win.
But the 26-year-old flanker is facing a race against time to be fit for Wales’ two-Test series against the Springboks this month.
Lydiate has been suffering with a hamstring complaint of late but Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards says he is so important that he could still play in the first Test on June 14 even if he hasn’t had a warm-up game.
"I think Dan Lydiate probably needs a bit of a run-out before then [the first Test]," said Edwards. "So whether he's involved in the first game I'm not sure, but we'll decide that later.
"To give him confidence I think it would help him to have a little bit of game time. But Dan Lydiate is the kind of player who's an integral part of our team, maybe we'd even take a chance with him without playing in that game."
