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Sam Warburton is set to play in Tuesday morning's clash with the Highlanders after missing Saturday's 12-3 victory over the Crusaders with an ankle problem.

The British and Irish Lions skipper picked up the injury during the tourists' 13-7 win over the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians in Whangarei and has been sidelined for the fixtures since.

His absence sparked fears that he wouldn't be ready in time for the Test series, given that he has only played once since early April.

Head coach Warren Gatland insisted that the plan was always to play Irish duo Peter O'Mahony and Sean O'Brien in Christcurch, but conceded that his captain is in desperate need of minutes.

"A lot has been made about Sam not being involved tonight ," said Gatland, "Sean and Peter were always going to start.

(Image: Â©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)

"That was the plan, with everyone getting a start in the first three games. We will probably give him Sam run on Tuesday, He needs some game time."

The gutsy victory of the leading Super Rugby franchise came at a cost on Saturday morning as centre Jonathan Davies and full-back Stuart Hogg were both forced off with head injuries.

The Scot accidentally caught team-mate Conor Murray's elbow as he raced a kick, resulting in a nasty wound and an early departure from the match.

Welshman Davies would soon join him in the dressing room after being forced off following a high-speed collision with Crusaders fly-half Richie Mo'unga.

Neither player returned to the field and Gatland later confirmed that they both failed head injury assessments.

(Image: PA) (Image: Â©INPHO/Billy Stickland)

"Stuart Hogg has got quite a nasty bruise under his eye and a gash under the ear," he said.

"He’s just caught Conor Murray’s elbow. He was a bit unlucky in that situation. He was looking dangerous in attack.

"Both he and Jonathan Davies failed the HIAs. The return to play is a minimum of six days and they will just go through the protocols. We will play it by ear over the next few days."

It's currently unclear as to whether or not Wales fly-half Dan Biggar will be available to face the Highlanders on Tuesday.

He also failed a HIA, in the defeat to the Blues, and his minimum six-day rest is up on Tuesday. However, if he is still showing concussive symptoms, then Johnny Sexton could be asked to play his fourth straight game of the tour.