The All Whites captain Winston Reid will miss New Zealand's world cup qualifiers against the Solomon Islands through injury.
Reid, 28, who has played 21 internationals for New Zealand, suffered a calf injury in the warm up for West Ham United in their Premier League game on the weekend against Southampton.
Winston Reid. Photo: Photosport
The All Whites play the Solomon Islands home in away to decide which nation will play the fifth placed South American team for a place at the world cup in Russia next year.
The first match is in Auckland on Friday, September 1st.
Reid was taken off on a stretcher and will miss West Ham's match against Cheltenham Town tomorrow in the English League Cup and also the premier league cup Newcastle United.
He is expected to be fit to play in West Ham's first match back after the international window against Huddersfield.
"It's not a bad injury. He should be fit for the Huddersfield game after the international break," said West Ham manager Slaven Bilic.
All Whites coach Anthony Hudson at the Confederations Cup 2017. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
All Whites coach Anthony Hudson was once again very disappointed to lose.
"He's been through a tough period with regards to injury and I know he's incredibly frustrated not to be playing for his club and for his country," said Hudson.
Reid has missed the last three FIFA international windows for the All Whites through injury.
Hudson is hopeful Reid will be fit again for the Intercontinental Playoff in November against the fifth-placed South American side if the All Whites qualify for those matches.
The head coach remains confident he has the depth in his squad to be able to defeat Solomon Islands both home and away to reach the Intercontinental Playoff in November.
"I have always said that we need to have a squad that is bigger than just one player and that is what we have now," he said.
If we lose one of our key players ahead of a qualifier we are not in a bad position. We have lost a world-class footballer, however I know that we have the quality within the squad to get the job done."
Chris Wood will captain the All Whites in Reid's absence.