Ireland hooker Jerry Flannery has become the latest player to be ruled out of the British & Irish Lions squad to tour South Africa due to injury.

Flannery chipped a bone in his elbow while training with Munster and needs an operation that means he has no chance of joining up with the Lions this summer.

His compatriot, Rory Best, and Scotland's Ross Ford are now vying to replace Flannery in Ian McGeechan's squad.

Meanwhile, McGeechan has confirmed that England flanker Tom Croft has been called up to replace Alan Quinlan, who misses the trip to South Africa after losing an appeal against a 12-week suspension for eye-gouging.

McGeechan said: "We had to be fair and allow Alan Quinlan the opportunity to appeal his suspension.

"However, following the outcome of the appeal we have replaced Quinlan with Tom Croft who, it must be said, was very unlucky not to have been selected in the original tour party.

"Tom showed in his recent performances for Leicester following the tour party announcement that he could put aside his disappointment and perform at a very high level.

"He was on our selection reserve list and his continued good form has been rewarded with selection."

McGeechan has been forced into a further two changes to his original squad, with Irish scrum-half Tomas O'Leary replaced by Scotland's Mike Blair due to an ankle problem.

Meanwhile, no replacement has been called up for Wales centre Tom Shanklin, who has been ruled out by a shoulder injury.