Scotland's Richie Gray likely to miss All Blacks visit

Second-row forward Richie Gray is unlikely to be fit for Scotland's match against New Zealand next Sunday.

Gray withdrew from the Sale Sharks side before their 21-9 victory over London Irish because of an ankle injury.

Chief executive Steve Diamond told BBC Sport after Sale's first English Premiership win of the season: "He's probably out for another week or two.

"Hopefully he'll play some part for Scotland, but it looks like he's out for next week."

After New Zealand, Scotland face South Africa and Tonga in their autumn Test series.

Scotland coach Andy Robinson had been hopeful that Gray and Edinburgh backs Greig Laidlaw and Tim Visser would shake off their injuries in time to play against the All Blacks at Murrayfield.

Alasdair Dickinson, Ed Kalman and Moray Low are among the other forwards already absent from the Scotland squad through injury.

Backs Chris Cusiter, Joe Ansbro, Rory Lamont, Graeme Morrison and Nikki Walker will also play no part in the series.