GAVIN Henson and Jonny Wilkinson have been ruled out of Saturday's third Test between the British Lions and New Zealand in Auckland.

Outside half Wilkinson is suffering from another "stinger" injury to his neck and shoulder area while Henson has a similar problem.

But Lions medical staff have allayed fears Wilkinson might face another long lay-off, claiming he could be fit to play next week if there were a game.

Joining Wilkinson and Henson in being out of the running for the Test are Charlie Hodgson (concussion), Ollie Smith (ribs), Andrew Sheridan (ankle) and Ben Kay (eye).

The Lions were unable to train today, and there are several players with injury issues still hanging over them - skipper Gareth Thomas, Gethin Jenkins, Shane Horgan, Neil Back and Will Greenwood.

Sir Clive Woodward has delayed announcing the team because of all the problems.

In addition, prop Graham Rowntree spent most of yesterday attending a disciplinary hearing after being cited for punching during the 17-13 victory over Auckland. Rowntree was cleared of thge alleged offence and will, therefore, be available for the Test.

Auckland centre Sam Tuitupou, however, was given a six-week ban after being cited for stamping on Lions midfield man Gordon D'Arcy.

Tuitupou, who is suspended from rugby until August 19, admitted the offence when he appeared before judicial officer Terry Willis at an Eden Park hearing.

Lions midweek coach Ian McGeechan, whose team won all five of their matches by defeating Taranaki, Wellington, Southland, Manawatu and Auckland, believes the Lions were probably two games under-cooked going into the first Test.

"I think you need a minimum number of games leading into the first Test, and we were probably two games short of that," he said.

"It is the balance leading up to the first Test that is the critical one, simply because you are pulling four groups of people together."

McGeechan though, added that it had been "a superbly-organised tour" despite the Test series defeat. McGeechan watched skipper Gordon Bulloch's men deliver another superbly-committed display in seeing off Auckland.

Flanker Martyn Williams' first-half try made the difference, but three Ronan O'Gara penalties after he replaced Hodgson kept Auckland at bay.

"I am hugely proud of a group of players who played their hearts out," enthused McGeechan. "Tactically, we were very good in the first-half, and they just had to dig in during the second period. That was a complete team effort.

"We wanted these players to make selection as difficult as possible for the Test team. If they don't make it we want them to leave this trip with the Lions tour being something they will look back on with a lot of pleasure and pride."

Tempers often boiled over in a match erratic New Zealand referee Steve Walsh never really got a grip of, but the Lions kept their composure and had the game's outstanding player in Matt Dawson.