Australia cricket coach Darren Lehmann is in danger of missing Australia's tour of New Zealand as he fights deep vein thrombosis.
Cricket Australia on Tuesday announced Lehmann will be forced to sit out the three-game one-day series in New Zealand starting next week after failing to receive a medical clearance to fly out with the team on Monday.
Lehmann will be assessed later in the week and could rejoin the touring party in time for the first Test in Wellington on February 12.
Cricket Australia chief medical officer Dr John Orchard said it was expected he will be declared fit to return to work in the coming weeks but he is not guaranteed to take any part on the tour of New Zealand.
The 45-year-old was taken to hospital during Saturday's ODI in Sydney against India after complaining about swelling in his leg and will miss their Twenty20 series India starting on Tuesday.
Assistant Michael Di Venuto will stand in for Lehmann during the three-game Twenty20 series against India and shapes as a likely option to fill in during the coach's extended absence.
Western Australian mentor Justin Langer will take the reins from Lehmann during this year's ODI tri-series in the West Indies however the NZ tour will conflict with his state duties.
"The health and wellbeing of our players and staff is always our first priority and that's certainly the case with Darren," Cricket Australia team performance manager Pat Howard said.
"We will await medical advice from the specialists before we make any decisions regarding an interim coaching role for the limited-overs series in New Zealand."
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