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Triple injury blow for Australia

Australia suffer injury crisis
© PA Photos
Australia suffer triple injury blow ahead of the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour.

Three more Australians have suffered injuries ahead of the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour.

Wing Digby Ioane, lock Sitaleki Timani and flanker Scott Higginbotham have all been withdrawn from the Wallabies' 25-man training squad.

New South Wales's Kane Douglas and Melbourne Rebels duo Nick Phipps and Ben McCalman have been named as their replacements.

Ioane is recovering from knee surgery, Higginbotham has a dislocated shoulder and Timani has a suspected broken thumb, with all three being likely starters for the first Test on 22 June.

"Digby is unable to train," said coach Robbie Deans. "His focus is on getting his knee right, which is why we've chosen to bring him in anyway, so our medical staff can oversee the process."

Australia will also have to make do without veteran flanker George Smith and first-choice hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau after they were already ruled out through injury.

However, Kurtley Beale returned to club rugby on Saturday after undergoing treatment for alcohol-related issues.

Revised Australia's 25-man squad:
Backs: Berrick Barnes, Nick Cummins, Israel Folau, Joe Tomane; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rob Horne, Christian Lealiifano, James O'Connor, Will Genia, Nick Phipps.
Forwards: Saia Fainga'a, Stephen Moore; Ben Alexander, Sekope Kepu, Benn Robinson, James Slipper; Kane Douglas, James Horwill, Rob Simmons; Dave Dennis, Liam Gill, Michael Hooper, Ben McCalman, Ben Mowen, Wycliff Palu.

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Chris Ashton
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