Gavin Henson's chances of participating in the British and Irish Lions' tour of South Africa appear slim after the Wales centre damaged ankle ligaments playing for his club.

The 27-year-old Henson was hurt playing for the Ospreys against Gloucester on Saturday and may be sidelined for as long as six weeks, three weeks after Lions coach Ian McGeechan is set to name his squad.

The first tour match is on May 30 and the trip ends with the third Test in Johannesburg on July 4.

"Following the MRI scan and specialist consultation on Monday, we can confirm that Gavin has suffered damage to the ligaments on both the lateral and medial sides of his right ankle," Ospreys physiotherapist Chris Towers said Wednesday.

"Although the injury is not so severe that he will require surgery, he will require a spell of at least two weeks in a walking cast before he can start to gradually get back to normal activity.

"At this stage, in light of the nature and extent of the ligament damage, we are predicting a 4-6 week spell on the sidelines before Gavin will be ready for action again."

McGeechan is set to reveal his squad for the three-Test tour on April 21 and was likely to have taken Henson had he been fit.

Henson's powerful running and ability to find gaps in opponents' defences helped Wales win the Six Nations grand slam in 2005 and 2008.

Henson was in the Lions squad for the tour to New Zealand four years ago, but wasn't picked for the opening Test. He made it into the second but was injured and missed out on the third.

His fitness has been a problem for more than a year and he has played only two of Wales' nine games since last year's grand slam.

Henson was also cautioned by Welsh police on Wednesday over his behaviour on a night out while celebrating Wales' Six Nations win over England in February.

Henson was reportedly abusive to customers in a pub opposite Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

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