Midfielder Craig Henderson looks set to be ruled out of contention for New Zealand's World Cup soccer campaign after suffering a serious knee injury while training with his Swedish club.
Reports says Henderson, 22, needs cruciate ligament surgery and will be sidelined for more than six months after twisting his knee at a pre-season camp in Cyprus last month with his club Mjallby AIF. Initial scans revealed no major damage but he received a more severe diagnosis today for the Wellington-born player.
Mjallby medical staff member Mats Book told journalists Henderson was resigned to miss out on the All Whites' trip to South Africa in June.
"Such injuries usually take this around 6-8 months before they're back," he said.
"And we regret to say that Craig will not play any more for the rest of the year, so any possible World Cup participation is thus excluded.
"It's very sad for Mjllby AIF and particularly sad for Craig."
Henderson has yet to play a senior international although he played for New Zealand at the 2008 Olympic Games.
The same injury ruled him out of the All Whites' friendly against Mexico in Los Angeles earlier this month.
- NZPA
Soccer: Henderson Cup dream appears over
Craig Henderson. Photo / Getty Images
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