The Germany based forward Marco Rojas has been ruled out of the All Whites' clash with Japan next week and has been replaced by Rory Fallon.
Rojas, who plays for Stuttgart, has a knee injury.
Meanwhile Fallon has been cleared to play by his English club Crawley Town.
Interim coach Neil Emblen says although it is unfortunate Rojas, this will allow him to get fit and back on the field as soon as possible.
The match against World Cup bound Japan is in Tokyo next Wednesday.
