England head coach Stuart Lancaster has confirmed Dylan Hartley's chances of participating in next month's tour to New Zealand are diminishing.
Hartley has been out for six weeks with a shoulder injury that is taking longer than expected to heal due to a failure to regain strength in the joint.
It is still unknown whether the Northampton hooker will be involved in Friday's Amlin Challenge Cup final or the Aviva Premiership final the following weekend.
England are facing a crisis in the number two role with Tom Youngs unavailable due to family reasons, David Paice ruled out through injury and Rob Webber a doubt because of a knee problem.
Lancaster, who delivered a more promising update on full-back Mike Brown's hip injury by stating he will resume training next week, revealed Hartley will be given until next Tuesday to prove his fitness.
"Dylan, as you've heard from (Northampton director of rugby) Jim Mallinder, is making slower progress than hoped for with his shoulder," Lancaster said.
"We'll monitor that with Northampton throughout the week and make a decision on him before we fly (next Tuesday).
"With Tom Youngs, Dylan and David Paice out of the equation, if Dylan isn't going to be fit and Webber is 50/50, there will definitely be an opportunity for a hooker without much experience."
Even if Hartley does play for Northampton over the next two weekends, he will miss the first Test against the All Blacks as it is being staged a week after the Premiership showpiece.
A path has been cleared for Webber, currently England's third-choice hooker, to face New Zealand in Auckland on June 7 - provided he can overcome his own injury problems.
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