Football: McGlinchey ruled out for All Whites

Michael McGlinchey has been ruled out of both World Cup qualifiers against New Caledonia with injury. Photo / Greg Bowker - NZ Herald.

The All Whites will be without one of their most experienced players for the next stage of their football World Cup qualifying campaign.

Wellington Phoenix midfielder Michael McGlinchey will miss both the home and away world cup qualifying matches against New Caledonia with a knee injury. They play the first match in Albany tomorrow.

All Whites coach Anthony Hudson says McGlinchey is a huge loss.

He's the fourth front-line player to be forced out of the matches against New Caledonia, joining Winston Reid, Tommy Smith and Rory Fallon on the sidelines.

But one player who has recovered from injury and is primed for a big role is midfielder Bill Tuiloma who has sufficiently recovered from a recent calf injury and is ready for tomorrow's clash.

Tuiloma missed New Zealand's recent two-game tour of the United States after sustaining the injury while training with his French club side Marseille but is excited to be back on deck for the North Harbour Stadium clash.

"One of the muscles separated so I had to stand down and I told the gaffer and staff I couldn't make it because I didn't have enough time to recover," said Tuiloma. "But I've played two games before I came here, so I'm feeling good.

"I'm still going to the physios to get my calf right and I should be good."

The All Whites are preparing for a stern test against New Caledonia and push their cause for the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia.

Hudson's side has worked hard since arriving in camp on Monday and are confident of claiming first blood ahead of the return clash in New Caledonia on Wednesday.

"For sure," said Tuiloma. "We've prepared really good in the past few days. The boys are focused and on-point. We've been listening to the coach, been watching the tactics, so I think we're ready to do the job."