Halfpenny getting close to full fitness
Halfpenny should rejoin the Lions squad next week
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Wednesday, 27, May 2009 09:26
Cardiff Blues winger Leigh Halfpenny is on course to join the British and Irish Lions squad in South Africa some time next week.
The 20-year-old had been included in Ian McGeechan's original squad but was forced to stay at home when the Lions left on Sunday to rehabilitate a quad injury he sustained two weeks ago.
Injuries to Halfpenny and fellow Welsh back Tom Shanklin caused the Lions to call up Ospreys' James Hook as cover.
However, it now looks like Halfpenny will miss very little of the tour and will certainly be fit when the Test series begins on June 20th.
Blues physiotherapist Tim Atter said: "We're happy with the progress Leigh has made since returning to us.
"He's running hard and is up to 80 per cent and over the next two days we hope to get him back to full pace."
Atter praised the young winger for his attitude towards missing the first weekend of the Lions tour and said he expected Halfpenny would be able to join his team-mates soon.
"Leigh himself has been really positive and worked exceptionally hard - he is determined to get on the tour," he added.
"Hopefully he can fly out to meet up with the rest of the Lions on the weekend or early next week."
Halfpenny has only played six times for Wales, making his debut against South Africa in October 2008, and would be the youngest player to represent the Lions since 1968 should he play on the tour.