Dan Carter’s injury problems have ruled him out Canterbury’s NPC semi-final against Tasman, placing his immediate All Blacks future in further doubt.

Five-eighth Carter has played just 40 minutes of NPC rugby because of shin pain following his leg fracture suffered in the Super Rugby final on August 2.

The 32-year-old’s return is continually being put back and a lack of rugby could count against him when All Blacks coach Steve Hansen names his squad to play Tests in the United States and Europe in November.

Hansen last week said he would like to start Carter in their Test against the United States Eagles in Chicago on November 1.

Canterbury have made four starting changes for the Premiership division semi-final in Nelson on Saturday from the team who beat top qualifiers Taranaki 26-23 in New Plymouth last week.

Halfback and captain Willi Heinz replaces Mitchell Drummond after recovering from a knee injury.

Adam Whitelock returns at inside centre and Richie Mo’unga at fullback for Rob Thompson and Colin Slade respectively, while the only change to the forward pack is at prop, where Daniel Lienert-Brown starts in place of Alex Hodgman.

Six-time defending champions Canterbury placed third in the regular season, four points behind second-ranked Tasman.

Canterbury: Richie Mo’unga, Patrick Osborne, Jack Goodhue, Adam Whitelock, Johnny McNicholl, Tom Taylor, Willi Heinz (capt), Nasi Manu, Matt Todd, Luke Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Dominic Bird, Nepo Laulala, Ben Funnell, Daniel Lienert-Brown. Reserves: Codie Taylor, Alex Hodgman, Matt Symons, Tom Sanders, Mitchell Drummond, Rob Thompson, Milford Keresoma.