Woodward had rated the flanker as a front-runner to be part of his front-line squad for the tour of New Zealand before he suffered a knee injury that ruled him out of the Six Nations campaign.
But after two operations Donnie is hoping his club pals do him a favour by finishing in the top eight of the Celtic League to secure qualification for the end--of-season knock-out cup.
He said in today's Daily Record: "My rehab is on course and I'm feeling better and stronger every day but I don't think I will be back in action for the rest of the league schedule.
"My big hope is the guys make it into the Celtic Cup, which could give me the opportunity to prove I am ready to go with the Lions."