Carter returns for New Zealand

Daniel Carter has been called into the New Zealand squad for the remainder of the team's Tri-Nations campaign.

The All Blacks will come together for a one-day training camp in Auckland on Wednesday before assembling in Sydney on Sunday to prepare for the Bledisloe Cup/Tri-Nations Test against Australia at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on August 22.

Carter has played a club game and two rounds of the Air New Zealand Cup for Canterbury since returning to rugby following his Achilles injury, and All Blacks coach Graham Henry says the 59-Test fly-half is "very keen" to rejoin the national side.

"He is a key member of the All Blacks, has recovered well from his injury and has made a great return to rugby so now is the right time to bring him back into the squad," Henry said.

Henry had been cautious about rushing his star pivot back, despite the clamour for his return following some underwhelming All Blacks performances in South Africa.

Carter, who scored all his Canterbury's points in a 22-16 win against Auckland, will also be available for his club's game against Waikato on Friday night (NZ time).

Otago lock Tom Donnelly, meanwhile, has been called into the NZ squad as cover for the one-day camp with Bryn Evans struggling with leg and back pain which forced his withdrawal from the Hawke's Bay team which lost to Wellington on Saturday.

"Bryn will be having a scan today so we can see what the long-term prognosis will be," New Zealand's doctor, Deb Robinson, said.

Wellington's Tamati Ellison, who has been with the squad as cover, will also attend the Auckland camp together with Isaia Toeava, who is recovering from a stress fracture in his foot.

Henry and his assistant coaches Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen will finalise the 26-strong squad for the trip to Sydney on Saturday.