WALLABIES winger Digby Ioane is on Australia’s growing casualty list as they continue to struggle with injuries ahead of the forthcoming three-match Test series with the British and Irish Lions.

According to the Australian Rugby Union, the Reds player is “touch and go” for the opener at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, June 22.

The 27-year-old underwent minor knee surgery on Tuesday after he was hurt in his side’s 27-13 Super Rugby defeat to the Cheetahs on the weekend.

The potential loss of New Zealand-born Ioane, who has scored 11 tries in 34 Tests, compounds the injuries suffered by legendary Brumbies openside George Smith (knee) and Waratahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau (forearm).

The pair were hurt in the brutal derby between the two sides, which the Waratahs won 28-22, and face a race against time to play a part in the Lions Test matches, both almost certain to miss the first international.

Pivotal openside David Pocock is out for the season after rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament while playmaker James O’Connor, the only outside half selected in Robbie Deans’ initial Wallabies squad, is struggling to overcome a chest injury.

Melbourne Rebels’ medical staff have chosen not to risk the 23-year-old for their clash with the Waratahs tomorrow night.

He was hurt in his side’s showdown with the Blues earlier this month.

Speaking about this weekend’s game, Rebels high performance manager Mark Andrews said: “James was desperate to play, which was admirable.

“However, it would not be in the team’s or player’s interest to risk further danger when the injury is a significant one, and has not fully healed.”