Scotland's difficulties at scrum-half improved on Monday after Rory Lawson took part in a training session in the build-up to this weekend's Murrayfield clash with the All Blacks.
Lawson sustained rib cartilage damage playing for English Premiership side Gloucester a fortnight ago and so missed last week's warm-weather training camp in Spain.
Scotland will be without Chris Cusiter for Saturday's match against Tri-Nations champions New Zealand after the scrum-half fractured a thumb playing for French club side Perpignan.
Glasgow No 9 Mark McMillan, who suffered hip and shoulder problems after his late call into the training squad, is now expected to be fit and, together with Lawson, should give Scotland sufficient cover for captain Mike Blair.
Saturday's match is the first of three Tests for Scotland this month with world champions South Africa at Murrayfield on November 15 before Canada come to Pittodrie, the home of Scottish Premier League football club Aberdeen, on November 22.
Copyright 2008 AFP Global Edition
