Wales hooker Robin McBryde will play no further part in the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia after failing torecover from a thigh injury, the BBChas reported.
The Llanelli player injured his leg in training for the Lions' opening game against Western Australia and took another knock after coming on asreplacement against NSW Waratahs last weekend.
"The leg hasn't settled down at all and as far as the trip goes that's the end of me I'm afraid," McBryde said.
McBryde will return home after Saturday's first test against Australia in Brisbane.
"I have been struggling. I've been pestering the doctor, asking him what he thinks," McBryde added. "But when I tried to move the leg onThursday morning it was clear it had got no better."
McBryde will become the sixth player to leave the tour early because of injury, following the departures of Simon Taylor, Phil Greening, Dan Luger,Mike Catt and Lawrence Dallaglio.
Leicester hooker Dorian West had already joined the Lions party as cover for McBryde.
The Australia camp also have a hooker injury problem. Australia hooker Jeremy Paul is in doubt for Saturday's first test after injuring himself in training.
Wallaby coach Rod Macqueen said Paul hurt his ankle during Friday's final practice run and needed immediate treatment.
Macqueen said it would not be known until Saturday whether Paul would make the team.
If Paul is ruled out, Michael Foley will be promoted to the starting team, with Brendan Cannon added to the reserves' bench.