Tim Southee is in doubt for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe with a knee injury and will forgo the lucrative Champions League in an effort to get fit.
Southee, who won the award for the ICC Twenty20 International Performance of the Year recently, was due to fly to India thisweek to join the Chennai Super Kings ahead of their first match on 24 September 2011, but will now remain in New Zealand to receive treatment.
"Tim has suffered some cartilage damage to his left knee while preparing for the Champions League,'' New Zealand director of cricket John Buchanan said.
"He requires further assessment to determine the seriousness of the injury but initial signs indicate that he is unlikely to require surgery.
"He will undergo a period of intense rehabilitation and attempt to return to training shortly. A call on his availability for the Black Caps' tour of Zimbabwe will be made closer to the time.''
New Zealand will play two Twenty20 internationals, three one-day internationals and one test against Zimbabwe between October 15 and November 5. Fast bowler Hamish Bennett (back) and Grant Elliott (calf) are already major doubts for the tour.
