All Black Coles closing in on Hurricanes return

Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd would be “pretty surprised” if captain Dane Coles does not make his comeback against Stormers on May 5 and also hopes Nehe Milner-Skudder will return next month.

Coles has not played for a month due to knee and calf injuries, but the inspirational New Zealand hooker is on the mend.

Boyd is taking no chances with his skipper, but thinks he should be back in Super Rugby action in a fortnight, with the British and Irish Lions tour on the horizon.

“Those calves for him are niggly, they have been over a number of years,” Boyd told Stuff.

“If we didn’t have a bye, he’d probably be okay to play next week. So the bye’s come at a nice time for him. I’d be pretty surprised if he’s not ready for selection against the Stormers [on May 5].”

Milner-Skudder fractured his foot against Chiefs last month and Boyd sees the fixture against Cheetahs on May 20 as a realistic target for the All Blacks full-back.

“If we’re really lucky, the week before against the Crusaders [Milner-Skudder could return],” said Boyd.

The Hurricanes boss revealed that lock Michael Fatialofa may have sustained a dislocated knee as he awaits scan results.

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