Fresh from completing gruelling rehab on a knee injury which cruelled his Tri Nations campaign, and then suffering the loss of the captaincy to Rocky Elsom, Mortlock confirmed his latest hurdle yesterday.

He will miss the first two Tests on the Wallabies' spring tour to Japan and Europe after tearing his left calf muscle.

The 80-cap centre hopes to rejoin the tour squad in time for the November15 Test against Ireland.

''This season's been pretty tough, I've spent a lot of time on the sidelines, so yeah this is another blow,'' Mortlock said.

''From my perspective obviously, [I'm] extremely disappointed with this news but you take it in your stride and process the information.

''I pretty much have to deal with the rehab process now and I'm looking forward to doing that.

''The best way forward for me is getting treatment here in Australia and doing that over the next 212 weeks ... and hopefully meeting up with the team, raring to go.''

Coach Robbie Deans said Mortlock was ''pencilled'' into his plans for the opening Bledisloe Cup clash with the All Blacks in Tokyo on October31 but was now not expected to join the team until a week after the opening grand slam Test against England at Twickenham on November7.

Forcing his way into the starting XV for the Tokyo Test would have capped Mortlock's comeback, given he hasn't played rugby since August8.

In order to regain his No13 jersey, Mortlock would likely have unseated the in-form Adam Ashley-Cooper, who in turn would force James O'Connor out of fullback.

Deans remained positive over Mortlock's injury, which was sustained last Thursday with scans the following day confirming the extent of the damage.

Deans has elected not to replace Mortlock in his 35-man squad.

''Stirling strained his calf, it was late last week that it tightened up and then the MRI over the weekend showed there was a significant tear there, eight to 12cm and close to the muscle,'' Deans said.