Lions hope Hook passed fit

Hook's return to action must be signed off by an independent neurologist on Monday but the Welsh fly-half has made good progress after suffering a concussion against the Southern Kings last week.

"James continues to make excellent recovery from his head knock last week," said Lions doctor James Robson. "He has done various grades of activity with no ill effect and he has done non-contact rugby activities with no ill effect. We have high hopes of him being passed."

He added: "He is subject to an independent neurological assessment subject to IRB regulations which takes the decision out of our hands."

Hook will visit the same neurosurgeon who ruled Ryan Jones was not fit enough to join the tour after suffering a blow to the head playing for Wales in North America.

If passed fit, Hook is likely to feature at Newlands on Tuesday and he could also come into the equation for the second Test.

It would be a bold call for head coach Ian McGeechan to promote Hook into the starting XV but he does offer something different to both Stephen Jones, who struggled in yesterday's first Test defeat, and Ronan O'Gara.

Robson is still dealing with the injury fall-out from the 26-21 defeat in Durban, with full-back Lee Byrne their main injury concern.

Byrne was replaced before half-time with a strained left foot, which Robson believes to be only a "mild recurrence" of a long-standing injury.

"We have had time to initially assess him but it is still early. He needs treatment over the next two days and our aim is to get him ready for selection on Tuesday," said Robson. "It may well be that he has pulled a few fibres but he is walking around fine."