British and Irish Lions 2017: Jared Payne set to miss third Test after suffering with migraine issue
Payne has not travelled to Queenstown with the rest of the Lions squad
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Your support makes all the difference.Jared Payne has not travelled with the rest of the British and Irish Lions squad to Queenstown after suffering from migraine symptoms, with the Ireland centre looking unlikely to feature in the third Test against the All Blacks this weekend.
The New Zealand-born Ireland back has not featured since the mid-week victory over the Chiefs on 20 June, having been a late withdrawal from last week’s draw with the Hurricanes after experiencing headaches before kick-off, and Lions team doctor Eanna Falvey confirmed on Tuesday that Payne has remained in Wellington for treatment and tests.
"He's actually suffering from migraine," Dr Falvey said. "He had a bang in the Chiefs game (on 20 June), but he was fully cleared from concussion.
"But he's been struggling with migraines and that's an independent process since then."
Dr Falvey added: “Thankfully all his tests have been good, there's nothing concerning there but he's suffering for migranous symptoms at the moment.
"The specialist who saw him in Wellington is quite happy with him. We have a couple more minor tests to do which are still outstanding, that will give us more idea of when he'll (return).
“There's nothing of concern at the moment, it's just while he still has a headache he won’t be training at the moment.”
While there is not a big worry over Payne’s condition, it is something that will almost certainly rule him out of Saturday’s third Test against New Zealand given that he has not trained for over a week. Payne was unlikely to feature in the series decider regardless of his fitness, having been left out of the squads that played in the first and second Tests, and a decision will be taken on Wednesday on whether he will head home before the completion of the tour this weekend for further treatment.
Robbie Henshaw meanwhile could miss Ireland’s autumn internationals in November after tearing his pectoral muscle completely off the bone in the draw with the Hurricanes last week, with the centre returning back to Dublin for surgery.
"The muscle needs to be reattached, and that's usually about a 16-week recovery," Dr Falvey confirmed.
"He may do slightly better, but that's probably what we're looking at."
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