Stephen Ferris looks set to miss Ireland's summer tour after sustaining a facial injury while training from Magners League side Ulster.
The 24-year-old broke his cheekbone during a collision and requires surgery which will keep him out of action for up to two months.
That means coach Declan Kidney is unlikely to select the Lions back-row for the upcoming tour to New Zealand and Australia.
It piles the pressure on Kidney who has injury worries over a number of his key players. Lions captain Paul O’Connell has not played since the end of the Six Nations with a groin injury while wing Luke Fitzgerald and back Paddy Wallace are facing a race against time to be fit.
Ireland will take on the All Blacks on June 12 before taking on the New Zealand Maoris on June 18 and then Australia on June 26.