Waikato's Aled de Malmanche has been called into the All Blacks squad as injury cover for All Blacks hooker Corey Flynn, after Flynn suffered a hamstring strain at training in London yesterday.

All Blacks Doctor Deb Robinson said: "The squad was taking part in recovery games yesterday (at Latymer Upper School, White City) and Corey pulled up at the end of training with a strain in his right hamstring. We have started rehab work on his leg and will monitor him throughout the week."

All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said de Malmanche has been called in as cover in case Flynn didn't recover in time for this Saturday's Test against England at Twickenham.

"We are hopeful that Corey will recover but, as we have time on our side, we have called in Aled. We will wait and see how Corey goes this week before making a final decision," he said.

25-year-old de Malmanche, who was holidaying in Bali, Indonesia when he got the call up, will arrive in London tomorrow, Wednesday. He made his All Blacks debut this year coming off the bench against Italy in Christchurch in June and again against Australia in Wellington in September.

Meanwhile, Deb Robinson also said an x-ray had confirmed that All Blacks winger Ben Smith had not fractured his thumb.