Paul O'Connell's desperate for Lions to go out on a high

Paul O'Connell insists he can rouse his battered and bruised Lions to salvage some pride in the final Test of their gruelling six-week tour of South Africa.

With the series already lost following last week's last-minute defeat in Pretoria, the tourists have 80 minutes to play before they can put their feet up for some much needed rest.

Captain O'Connell admits the ferocity of the Loftus Versfeld clash, which has been overshadowed by Schalk Burger's eight-week ban and Springbok coach Peter de Villiers' subsequent failure to condemn him, could not be repeated on a weekly basis.

But the Irishman believes his tightly-knit squad still have enough left in the tank to mount one final assault on the world champions in Johannesburg.

"We had three days off after Pretoria and the guys were able to get it out of their system," said O'Connell. "We're now looking forward to the weekend and ending on a high.

"You would think straight away after the game the players would be really dreading it but a lot of us were looking forward to this weekend.

"It is not ideal. We would love to be here at 1-1 but this is life. You have to get on with it and the guys are professional enough to do that

"Everything isn't on the line like it was last Saturday but for a lot of us it will be a chance to pull on a Lions Test jersey again and we will not take that lightly. We will be eager to prove ourselves. Being 2-0 down is probably not a true reflection of where we are."

Head coach Ian McGeechan names his Third Test team today with Wasps prop Phil Vickery expected to be in the squad after being scrummaged off the pitch by Tendai 'The Beast' Mtawarira in the First Test in Durban.

Injuries to Adam Jones (shoulder) and Gethin Jenkins (cheekbone) mean the Lions front-row resources have been stretched almost to breaking point. Scrum coach Graham Rowntree said: "It would be a huge psychological challenge if Phil was to play but one he is capable of overcoming. He's one of the mentally strongest players I know."

Riki Flutey is in contention to start at centre in the absence of concussion victim Brian O'Driscoll while Jamie Roberts is recovering well from his wrist injury. With the Tri Nations looming, the Boks are expected to make big changes when they announce their side today. Rumours emanating from their camp suggest they could name a completely new back division.

Meanwhile, the Rugby Football Union have announced that former Bath players Alex Crockett, Justin Harrison, Andrew Higgins and Michael Lipman will face a disciplinary hearing on 29 July to answer charges of taking prohibited substances and refusing to take a drugs test.