Vickery's thoughts are with Lions injury victims
The injury to the Ospreys man could now see the ex-Gloucester prop reclaim the number three shirt for the third and final Test against the world champions on Saturday in Johannesburg.
But the 2003 World Cup winner said that was the last thing in his thoughts after seeing the Lions suffer their seventh consecutive Test defeat and concede the series to South Africa.
"I just feel for poor Adam Jones and Gethin Jenkins (cracked cheekbone) who got injured," said Vickery.
"The doctors were in with them and you cannot help but think of those guys.
"Certainly Adam is a great guy and is someone I have got on with fantastically well throughout the trip and he is doing something he has done all year, which is play good rugby.
"He has played well all tour and he played a good game.
"I thought he managed to play very well on Saturday and obviously Gethin is a great player – it is a shame they went off.
"I am not thinking that far ahead and I do not want to think about getting in next Saturday's team too much."
Nobody knows the pain of missing out on selection more than Vickery, whose poor performance in the first Test cost him his place on Saturday.
The Lions head to Johannesburg having lost their third straight series following defeats in New Zealand and Australia in 2005 and 2001.
But with Vickery admitting there was only pride left to play for, he said the Lions would be doing all they could to avoid a third series whitewash in a row.
"The Test series has gone and we will have to dress ourselves down and see what the next couple of days brings and see who is left standing and go from there," the 33-year-old said.
"But it will be hugely exciting and we have another game to play again.
"We are still enjoying it and let us hope the pressure is off and that not too many of the guys are too seriously injured and we can get a team out, because some of the guys are carrying some serious knocks."
● Phil Vickery column, page 38
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