Leigh Halfpenny is on Wales' stand-by list for their tour of New Zealand with Warren Gatland saying he was not considered for the 35-man squad due to his lack of match fitness.
Halfpenny has not played this season due to the knee injury he picked up prior to the Rugby World Cup though his club side Toulon remain hopeful he will play again for them before the end of the current campaign.
While Sam Warburton and Alun Wyn Jones are both currently injured but were included in the squad for New Zealand, Gatland did not want to risk Halfpenny at present.
"We've spoken to Leigh and we've picked a standby list and he's part of that," said Gatland. "He understands he does need some games and he's happy to be on a standby list."
Gatland added: "Maybe there's a possibility he'll get a few games for Toulon and maybe the potential to call him in later in the tour if there are injuries and he does get some form back."
Halfpenny's availability for the Wales squad has been a hot topic recently with Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal threatening not to pay the fullback if he went on the three-Test tour of New Zealand. Gatland said there have been no discussions between the Welsh Rugby Union and the club but is keen to keep the relationship as harmonious as possible.
"At the moment, there is no issue because Leigh is not in the squad," Gatland said. "His priority and focus is to play for Wales, and that's brilliant, but we are conscious of making sure that the relationship between the clubs and us stays as positive as possible.
"You don't want players in the middle of rows between club and country, because there is only one loser in that, and it's the player. If he is required later on, then hopefully that is able to be done as positively as possible."
Halfpenny on stand-by list for New Zealand tour
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