The New Zealand national team has been dealt a blow with the news that captain Winston Reid is set to miss up to 10 weeks with an ankle injury.
The West Ham United defender sustained the injury at Hammers training on Tuesday and has been ruled out of his country's World Cup qualifier playoff double header against Mexico.
The All Whites take on El Tri in Mexico City on November 13 before hosting the CONCACAF side in Wellington on November 20 but will be without their inspirational leader.
NZ boss Ricki Herbert said: "Very disappointing and so close to two hugely tough, challenging fixtures, to lose a player in the presence like Winston is incredibly disappointing."
