Wallabies winger Digby Ioane is in doubt for the start of the British and Irish Lions Test series after undergoing a knee operation on Wednesday morning.

Ioane had arthroscopic surgery in Brisbane to clean up articular cartilage on his troublesome left knee after flying back from the Queensland Reds’ two-match tour of South Africa.

The Reds believed the operation would only rule the world-class flyer out of their next two Super Rugby matches and he would be fit to play for Australia in the first Test against the Lions on June 22.

But the Australian Rugby Union posted on their Wallabies twitter account that the tackle-busting winger would be “touch and go” for the series-opener at Suncorp Stadium.

Ioane injured his knee in the Reds’ 27-13 loss to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on the weekend and was initially only expected to miss the upcoming clash with the Stormers in Cape Town.

However, the 34-Test back met with noted surgeon Dr Peter Myers on Tuesday night after scans revealed damage to his cartilage.

It would be a major blow for the Wallabies if Ioane, regarded among the best wingers in the world, is ruled out of the opening Test.

The 27-year-old, viewed as a certain selection on the left wing if fit, will start his rehab before going into a three-week training camp with Robbie Deans’ preliminary 25-man squad on June 2.

Ioane’s surgery completes a weekend of carnage for Australia’s leading players in Super Rugby with Tatafu Polota-Nau (broken forearm) ruled out of the Lions series while George Smith (knee) is unlikely to recover in time and Pat McCabe (knee) is also in doubt.