Concerns over a group of injured All Blacks, especially hooker Dane Coles, have eased as the world champions prepare for Friday's Test against Samoa, according to assistant coach Ian Foster.
The All Blacks play the Pacific islanders at Eden Park and will try out some combinations ahead of the three-Test series against Warren Gatland's British and Irish Lions, starting on June 24.
Coles has been the major injury concern for Super Rugby's Hurricanes and the All Blacks with knee and calf problems plus concussion symptoms, keeping him out of action since March 18.
Five-eighth Aaron Cruden (knee) and Ryan Crotty (ribs) are also concerns, while captain Kieran Read and fellow loose forwards Jerome Kaino and Liam Squire are returning from layoffs after surgery.
Read has already ruled himself out of the Samoan Test, but has said there will be no issues with his match fitness.
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The 31-year-old missed the first six Super Rugby rounds as he recovered from wrist surgery and then broke his thumb in a tackle in his third game back.
"People are trending upwards, and we're excited about that," Foster told reporters in Auckland.
"All the information we have on the injured group is pretty positive now and, by the end of the week, we'll have a good handle on who's ready to go either Friday or next week."
Coles was yet to take part in any contact training but Foster said he had shown steady improvement.
Foster added there were no concerns about facing a physical Samoan side before they meet the Lions eight days later at the same venue.
"I know everyone is talking about the big battle around the corner, but our mentality is the best way to prepare for a battle is to have a battle," said Foster.
"The fact we're playing Samoa at Eden Park, and there is a big Samoan community here, means it's going to be a significant game.
"Last time we played them, they pushed us to the wire in Apia. Rest assured this will be a full-on battle and we think that's the best way to prepare for anything."
