Fekitoa is expected to slot into the centres in Nonu's absence © Getty Images

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Malakai Fekitoa has been named in the All Blacks touring squad of Argentina and South Africa and seems set to take the starting midfield position in place of injured centre Ma'a Nonu with Crusaders midfielder Ryan Crotty working his way back to fitness after a facial fracture.

Speculation surrounded Nonu's replacement with Crotty believed to be the first choice replacement, however, he is set to make his return from injury with Canterbury in the ITM Cup and is expected to make his return for the All Blacks in South Africa.

With Nonu ruled out for the rest of the year, Fekitoa will be the only specialist inside centre with experienced outside centre Conrad Smith the only other specialist midfielder. However, the All Blacks are certain to back Ben Smith to cover the two positions after his impressive display against the Springboks last week.

Locks Dominic Bird and Patrick Tuipolotu, who played in the final few minutes of last week's win, as well as Dan Carter, have been left off the squad list and are expected to make their returns with their ITM teams in the coming weeks.

This has left Brodie Retallick, Jeremy Thrush and Sam Whitelock - who will make his return from a rib injury - as the specialist locks, with Steven Luatua also a capable cover. While hooker Dane Coles will return to New Zealand from Argentina for the birth of his child, leaving Keven Mealamu and Nathan Harris to provide cover in his absence.

The squad flies out of Auckland on Saturday.

All Blacks Squad: Dane Coles, Nathan Harris, Keven Mealamu, Owen Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Ben Franks, Joe Moody, Wyatt Crockett, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Jeremy Thrush, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Liam Messam, Steven Luatua, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade, Conrad Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Ben Smith, Julian Savea, Charles Piutau (Ryan Crotty to join squad in South Africa)