Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones has been ruled out of Saturday's Six Nations finale against Italy - and looks set to miss six weeks on the sidelines.
The Ospreys captain has been dealing with a heel injury throughout the campaign, although has still managed to start each of Wales' matches.
Warren Gatland has replaced Jones with Luke Charteris for the Italy match, and the Wales head coach has revealed he could be set for a longer spell out.
"Talking to the medics, they think he needs six weeks rest. That's why we have made the decision that we didn't pick him this week," said Gatland.
"He's been digging in and giving us what he's got, but he knows himself that he's not quite where he has been in the past.
"He could have dug in and got through, but it's just making sure we manage him over the next few weeks and work closely with the Ospreys and bring him back towards the end of the season and look at some conditioning."
Jones was replaced just after the hour-mark of last Saturday's 25-21 defeat against England at Twickenham, a result that ended Welsh hopes of the title.
The news is arguably a bigger concern for Ospreys, who could be without their skipper for the run-in of their Pro12 season.
Just five matches remain, with the Swansea-based side sitting eighth and looking to edge into the top six and Champions Cup qualification.
"He's had it for a while now, at least all this campaign and a few games for the Ospreys," added Gatland.
"If we can get him in to do some work in the altitude chamber and running in the gravity suit, that will hopefully ease some of the pressure and tension that's on that foot. We get a fresh and fit Alun Wyn Jones for New Zealand."
Following the end of their Six Nations campaign this weekend, Wales return to action in June as they head for a series of tests against New Zealand.