All Whites captain Winston Reid has been ruled out of next week's football international against South Korea in Seoul.
The West Ham United defender's been out of action for his club for several weeks with a hamstring injury.
Winston Reid won't be earning his 19th New Zealand cap in Seoul Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Striker Chris Wood will captain the side in Tuesday evening's match.
But All Whites coach Anthony Hudson confirmed on Friday Reid wouldn't be making the trip.
"We gave Winston until the very last moment to see if he would be able to be part of the camp here in Seoul," Hudson says.
"It's a shame his injury hasn't fully healed and he won't be part of this trip. West Ham have been very co-operative and we had the chance to bring Winston out here to be part of the camp off the field, which we decided against."
Hudson says it opens up an opportunity for another member of the squad to stake their claim.
