Sydney Roosters prop Andrew Lomu has become the fourth player to pull out of New Zealand's forthcoming Test series against Great Britain.

Lomu needs a shoulder operation and joins prop forward Craig Smith, front-rower Nathan Cayless and winger Matt Utai in withdrawing from the eight-match tour.

New Zealand spokesman John Hutchinson said: "Andrew's club doctor advised him to have an operation on his shoulder so he's pulling out of the party.

"Coach Gary Freeman is not panicking. We'll probably wait and see how we are after the Hull game. We have a couple of big forwards who can fill in at prop."

The Kiwis had drafted in Lomu as a replacement for Cayless, who requires an ankle operation and pulled out of the squad on Wednesday.

At that time Freeman had decided not to replace Utai and Smith but he will now call on Bradford Bulls duo Lesley Vainikolo and Joe Vagana after Lomu's setback.

Both players have extensive international experience - they were in the Kiwi team beaten by Australia in the 2000 World Cup final - and were surprise omissions from the original party.