Kinghorn injury 'way more positive' than originally feared - Easterby

Blair Kinghorn's injury will need to be monitored "day by day", says British and Irish Lions defence coach Simon Easterby, but he is "hopeful" the full-back will take part in training next week.

The Scotland international sprained his knee in Wednesday's win against the Brumbies and "didn't look great", but Easterby confirmed scans have showed up "way more positive" than originally feared.

The Lions have already lost a full-back in Elliot Daly, who fractured his forearm against the ACT Brumbies.

Ireland's Jamie Osborne has been called up as cover, though Easterby stressed Kinghorn will be given every chance to show he is ready for the opening Test against Australia on Saturday, 19 July.

"Blair didn't look great against the Brumbies and it was the right thing to do to pull him off," Easterby said. £But the scan has showed up way more positive than we'd hoped originally.

"We're hopeful that he'll take some part in training next week and then it will be a little bit of a waiting game in terms of whether he's available for the first Test.

"It will be one of those things that we'll just have to take day by day. Like a lot of these injuries throughout a tour, we'll give guys an opportunity to try and prove their fitness.

"And who knows? If it works out, great. If not, we've got good guys who are able to step up."