While the All Blacks coach, who names his squad to tour Chicago and Britain in Christchurch today, acknowledged the tour party is expected to be extended to 34 players from the original figure of 33 he refused to divulge any more details.

Last year he carried Wellington flanker Ardie Savea as an "apprentice" during the European tour, using it as an opportunity to expose him to the All Blacks' training and touring methods without putting him out on the park.

Whether Savea, who didn't play for Wellington this season because he had surgery on a rotator cuff injury, will be persevered with is unclear but given the effort that went into grooming him he could be invited again. The other option is to bring another promising candidate, rather than an established player, into the squad.

Hansen was clear on one thing. If Carter isn't passed fit to tour, he won't be carried as that extra player.

"We still have got to wait and see where DC is at but he is making progress. It is not an injury that is going to keep him out of the game for too long."

The original plan to start Carter against the United States in Chicago may be shelved to give him more time to be fit, allowing Aaron Cruden to make his comeback. Beauden Barrett started against the Wallabies on Saturday night and Colin Slade came off the bench to kick the winning conversion to secure the 29-28 victory.

Canterbury lock Luke Romano, who hasn't played since breaking his fibula while representing the Crusaders five months ago, looms as another candidate who could be added to the squad.

A skilled ball-carrying lock with good aerial skills, Romano is valued because he can be the perfect foil for hard-nosed grafters like Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock and taking him on tour will allow the conditioning and medical staff to ensure the final stages of his recovery are handled to their satisfaction.

It is obvious Romano is close to being fit enough to play.

"Luke was available for selection last week (for Canterbury) but didn't get selected," Hansen confirmed. "He hasn't had any game time and probably still needs a lot of rehab."

The selectors have form when it comes to sticking with Romano.

Despite suffering a serious groin injury in the Rugby Championship opener against Australia last August, which knocked him out of the tournament, he was selected for the northern tour and made one appearance as a replacement against England. Illness prevented him starting against Ireland.

Injuries suffered by Cory Jane (head knock) and Dane Coles (shoulder) against the Wallabies in Brisbane were not considered serious and they should be named in the tour squad. Sonny Bill Williams, after two years in the NRL, is also certain to be picked.

Unlike 2010, when captain Richie McCaw played every game on the five-match tour, Hansen said the All Blacks will vary selections.

The planning for the next year's World Cup means the defending champion will treat the final matches against England, Scotland and Wales as knockout games.

"What we have got to do is use the opportunity to play and give most people a couple of games, probably. But in doing that we have still got the background of using the States game as the last round-robin game and treating each of the three tests up there as quarter, semi and final games.

"Even though we are making changes, it is like okay, when we get there next year we might have an injury and need you to play so here it is, here is your moment."