The Irish selectors are not naming a replacement for Hickie

Denis Hickie has become the latest player to pull out of Ireland's summer tour to Australia, Tonga and Samoa.

Centre Rob Henderson withdrew from the Irish squad on Tuesday and Hickie was forced to pull out on Wednesday because of a groin injury.

With the Irish squad already including more than 40 players, the selectors have decided not to bother naming a replacement for winger Hickie.

Henderson sustained a calf injury during training on Tuesday.

The centre's Munster colleague Mike Mullins was called into the squad which travels to Perth on Thursday.

Mullins was a surprise omission for the original tour panel, but impressed in the recent Trial match at Thomond Park.

Hickie's withdrawal brings the number of absentees from the party departing for Australia later this week to eight.

A neck injury accounted for Munster number eight Anthony Foley last Friday, while Ireland's RBS Six Nations captain Brian O'Driscoll (hamstring), Shane Horgan (thigh), John Hayes (groin), Jeremy Staunton (groin) and Neil Doak (shoulder) will also stay at home.

Ireland play Australia in Perth on Saturday 7 June, Tonga on 14 June and Samoa on 20 June.