Tindall's last game for England was in November

Tindall has been out of action since December with a damaged shoulder and foot, but hopes to return in mid-April.

"The jury must still be out on whether he will go. He has played so little rugby this season," Connolly said.

"He could make our last three games here at Bath, but whether we pick him when he is short of match fitness, with so much at stake, remains to be seen."

After Sunday's Premiership match at Newcastle, Bath, chasing a play-off spot, host Northampton on 9 April, the last game before coach Sir Clive Woodward annnounces his Lions party.

Matt Stevens is now one of the three best tight-heads in Britain John Connolly

Tindall will not feature before then, and is unlikely to be risked in the Powergen Cup final against Leeds on 16 April.

A more likely target are Bath's final Premiership matches against London Irish and Leeds, but Connolly admits this is a "best-case scenario."

Tindall's long-time England centre partner Will Greenwood is also hoping to make his return for Harlequins in the next few weeks after a shoulder operation in late December.

Greenwood was selected for the last two Lions tours, but ill fortune with injuries prevented him playing in a Test match.

Select your own Lions XV

Like Tindall however, Woodward would have to select Greenwood on the assumption he returns to action without further problems.

If Tindall's selection is open to doubt, Connolly believes Bath prop Matt Stevens has done enough in three Six Nations outings with England to earn a seat on the plane to New Zealand.

"I think Stevens is a cast-iron certainty to go along with Danny Grewcock, who is a shoo-in for one of the second-row slots," Connolly told the Bath Chronicle.

"Stevens is now one of the three best tight-heads in the British Isles along with Phil Vickery and Julian White and he is the only fit one of the trio as things stand at the moment.

"He also now has the proven versatility to play the game at Test level on the loose-head side and has terrific footballing skills."