Warren Gatland confident about injured trio's availability for Lions tour of New Zealand

British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland is confident that the injured trio of Sam Warburton, Alun Wyn Jones and Conor Murray will be fit in time for the gruelling tour of New Zealand that kicks-off from 3rd June.

Warburton, who will lead the 41-man squad in New Zealand is currently recovering from a knee injury and is expected to return to action for his club Cardiff Blues, a week before Lions depart for the tour.

Both Jones and Ireland international Murray are also sidelined with shoulder injuries but Gatland insisted that they are on course for a full recovery.

"He (Warburton) is good," Lions head coach Gatland told Sky Sports News HQ.

" I spoke to Sam yesterday, and he feels that he could play now, and so he has made some really good progress and is really happy with how he has responded to treatment over the last few weeks.

" I expect him to play before he goes to New Zealand.

"(Jones) is making good progress as well. (Lions assistant coach) Steve Borthwick went down and saw him last week, and he's confident that he is going to be okay as well.

"Conor Murray, the prognosis with him looks pretty positive in terms of hopefully getting back and getting a game for Munster as well, and that will be good for him over the next few weeks if he can get a game."