Injured All Black Mike Delany is poised to make a surprise provincial rugby comeback, which could see him available for the national side's end of year tour.

The Steamers first-five wrecked a shoulder during the Chiefs' miserable Super 14 season, needing surgery in late April to repair a fractured glenoid joint.

Initially he was told he'd need six months on the sideline, ruling him out of all rugby until November.

But the 28-year-old is already back training and hopes to play some part in Bay of Plenty's ITM Cup campaign, which starts next month.

"I've had scans which show the bone has already healed - I can do pretty much most things now so I'm looking forward to getting back into it," Delany told the Bay of Plenty Times.

"They said six months initially and I was pretty down about that but the way things have gone, it should be sooner than that.

"Hopefully I'll get to play some part of the NPC and I'll be doing all I can to get back."

Delany's news is a big boost for Bay of Plenty, who open their 13-week provincial season against Waikato at the end of July, and will also be welcome news for All Blacks coach Graham Henry.

Henry announced his Tri-Nations squad yesterday, with rookie pivot Aaron Cruden providing cover for star No 10 Dan Carter.

But Cruden is also being touted as a potential third halfback and may be trialled during the NPC, with Henry still searching for a starting first-five if Carter is injured.

After making his debut against Italy last November, Delany would love the chance to break back into black but he's not getting ahead of himself.

"If I get back early enough, hopefully I can show enough form to push for a spot but I just want to get back and play well for the Bay. That's my sole focus at the moment."

Henry, meanwhile, has made it clear no player in his 28-strong squad is safe after axing four prominent players from his 28-man All Blacks rugby squad for the Tri-Nations.

Out go winger Zac Guildford, loose forward Adam Thomson, prop Neemia Tialata and hooker Aled de Malmanche, who all played in Saturday's 29-10 defeat of Wales and boast 69 tests between them. Their replacements are second five-eighth Ma'a Nonu, loose forward Liam Messam, prop/hooker John Afoa and hooker Corey Flynn.

There's still no place for Bay of Plenty flanker Tanerau Latimer, despite an outstanding series with New Zealand Maori, with Henry touting Kieran Read as Richie McCaw's openside deputy. Added to the June squad are previous standby players Sam Whitelock and Rene Ranger. Rising lock Whitelock played off the bench in the tests against Ireland and Wales while outside back Ranger made his debut off the pine at centre on Saturday.

"There are a large number of quality players who haven't been selected and that's always difficult," Henry said. The squad will gather for a three-day camp in Auckland from Thursday ahead of the Eden Park opener against South Africa.

TRI-NATIONS SQUAD:

Mils Muliaina, Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Joe Rokocoko, Rene Ranger, Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Benson Stanley, Daniel Carter, Aaron Cruden, Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Victor Vito, Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock, Anthony Boric, Tom Donnelly, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, John Afoa, Ben Franks, Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Corey Flynn.