JAMES Hook could miss Wales' summer tour to New Zealand, which features two Tests against the All Blacks.

Ospreys centre Hook, arguably Wales' star performer this season, requires shoulder surgery.

And Wales boss Warren Gatland must decide whether Hook should have his operation before the June tour or afterwards.

If he undergoes surgery on returning home, Hook would probably miss Wales' autumn Tests later this year as the recovery period is likely to be up to five months.

"James has had the problem for a while and he needs surgery,’’ said Gatland.

"I talked with the Ospreys earlier in the season about whether it would be best for him to have the operation before the start of the Six Nations, but they wanted him to be available at the end of the season and I could understand that.

"He will be out of action for between three and five months, and we have to consider whether he should be operated on before or after the New Zealand tour.

"We and the Ospreys have had to manage him in terms of contact, and it is testament to him that he has had an excellent season.’’ Gatland, who plans to announce his tour squad around the middle of next month, has confirmed that Cardiff Blues centre Tom Shanklin is unavailable due to his recovery from knee surgery.

And the coach is also debating whether or not to rest Blues flanker Martyn Williams, but will otherwise take his strongest available squad to New Zealand.

Melbourne Rebels-bound Gareth Delve though, will not be part of Gatland's immediate plans.

Delve was involved during the latter part of Wales' Six Nations campaign this term, but is now set to join Wasps fly-half Danny Cipriani with the newly-formed Super 15 outfit after turning down a chance to leave Gloucester and join the Blues.

Gatland added: "It was pretty disappointing that he turned down the chance to move back to Wales.

"He will not be available for next year's Six Nations, and as far as the national squad goes he has pretty much ruled himself out.

"He knew what was at stake, but decided that he had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play in the Super 15 and you cannot blame him for that.

"He would be someone to call on during the (2011) World Cup (in New Zealand), and we will certainly have an eye on him then, but otherwise it will be difficult because he will be so far away.’’