Wales, Cardiff Blues wing Alex Cuthbert out for season

Wales winger Alex Cuthbert will miss his country's tour of New Zealand in June after opting to have elective surgery on a knee injury.

The Cardiff Blues wing was already sidelined with a heel injury sustained during the Six Nations that was expected to keep him out of action for 10 weeks.

Cardiff subsequently decided to send Cuthbert to see a specialist in Sweden and the 25-year-old underwent minor surgery to correct a tendon issue in his right knee.

Cuthbert's rehabilitation period is set to last three months, meaning he will be unavailable for Wales coach Warren Gatland for the three-Test series against the world champion All Blacks.

"Alex was already out of action with a heel injury and due to the length of time he was set to miss the decision has been taken for him to also have surgery on his knee," Cardiff head coach Danny Wilson told the club's official website.

"Clearly Alex will be disappointed to miss the end of this season with Cardiff Blues and the chance to go on the summer tour with Wales to New Zealand.

"However, this decision has been taken for his long-term health and so we wish him well as he commences his rehabilitation."

Cuthbert, who has scored 15 tries in 42 Wales appearances, played just twice in the Six Nations against France and England, as Gatland's men finished runners-up in the tournament.

Wales start their New Zealand series in Auckland on June 11 before facing further fixtures in Wellington and Dunedin against the All Blacks.