Vickery has been hit by back, eye and arm injuries in recent times

Vickery had hoped to be fit enough to play for Gloucester against Saracens on 30 April but he is remaining cautious.

"It's no use to anybody, me just running out there and taking a hit on it and walking off the pitch again," said the 29-year-old.

"You've just got to be realistic, but at the same time, got to get it right."

The arm is still not exactly up to what it was before it was broken England prop Phil Vickery

Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward has already named his 44-man squad, who fly out to New Zealand at the end of May.

Vickery was left out of the group but could still join the British party if he is able to show he is back to form and fitness.

The prop still has a chance to play a few more domestic matches as Gloucester have a slim chance of making the Zurich Premiership wildcard semi-finals.

In the meantime Vickery, who broke his arm in mid-February, is content to continue working hard in training.

"The arm is still not exactly up to what it was before it was broken but it's just a case of working with the physios and training," said Vickery.

"Hopefully I will keep progressing and see how it reacts with training."