KEY POINTS:
An Achilles strain has robbed New Zealand of star striker Chris Killen for their World Cup soccer qualifying matches against Vanuatu.
The Celtic marksman was due to assemble with the remainder of coach Ricki Herbert's 17-man squad in Sydney today for the matches in Port Vila on Saturday
and Wellington on November 21.
However, Killen has opted to stay in Glasgow to rest the injury and has been replaced by uncapped Team Wellington forward Daniel Ellensohn.
Killen's unexpected absence compounds the unavailability of World Cup captain Ryan Nelsen, who has also remained in the UK for the impending birth of his first child.
Herbert described the latest development as "frustrating" given the promising strike partnership that had developed between Killen and Wellington Phoenix marksman Shane Smeltz during last month's 2-0 World Cup win over Fiji in Lautoka.
"We seem to get one foot forward and then take two steps back when you consider the important of qualifiers and necessity of having you're best team," Herbert said.
"But what it does do is give Daniel Ellensohn an opportunity.
"He's a strong boy who can hold the ball up and he is scoring goals in the NZFC so he's in form... I think he's very tidy."
Herbert praised the work of New Zealand Football chief executive Graham Seatter who had helped Ellensohn gain the necessary paperwork to represent New Zealand.
Ellensohn is joint leader of the NZFC golden boot race, on three goals with Auckland City's Scottish midfielder Bryan Little.
"Daniel's hasn't been able to play for New Zealand at age-group level because he held an Austrian passport but Graham's worked hard in conjunction with Daniel to make this happen. It's a huge chance for him given that he's also in that Olympic Games under-23 category."
The All Whites are to train twice on Wednesday and Thursday at the private Gregory's Boys College in Campbelltown before flying to Port Vila on Friday.
All Whites squad:
Goalkeepers: Mark Paston, Jacob Spoonley
Defenders: Tony Lochhead, James Pritchett, Andy Boyens, Ben Sigmund, Ivan Vicelich, Jeremy Christie
Midfielders: Leo Bertos, Tim Brown (captain), Duncan Oughton, Jeff Campbell, David Mulligan, Chris James
Forwards: Shane Smeltz, Jarrod Smith, Daniel Ellensohn
- NZPA