New Zealand All Whites striker Chris Wood ahead of the game against Australia in Brisbane, 2022. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The All Whites are facing a setback with striker Chris Wood ruled out of upcoming games in Egypt.
Wood was initially named in the squad for the W Cup series against Egypt on Saturday and then either Croatia or Tunisia next Wednesday.
Wood had only just returned to action with his Premier League club Nottingham Forest after spending more than a month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
Wood scored in Forest's 1-1 draw with Luton Town at the weekend but afterwards the club reported an unspecified injury.
The 32-year-old is key to Forest's hopes of avoiding relegation, after the club was penalised four points for a financial rules breach plummeting them into the bottom three of the Premier League.
Norway-based midfielder Joe Bell and Phoenix defender Tim Payne have also withdrawn from the squad due to injury, with Phoenix captain Alex Rufer called in to cover for the trio.