A leg injury has cost star defender Ryan Nelsen a place on the All Whites' soccer tour of Europe later this month - including New Zealand's dream date with World Cup favourites Brazil.
Nelsen will be sidelined for at least a month after fracturing his left fibula in the first half of
Blackburn Rovers 2-0 English premier league win at Charlton Athletic on Monday (NZ time).
The injury means the classy central defender will miss the June 4 friendly against Brazil and the All Whites' two warm-up games ahead of the mouth-watering match against the reigning world champions in Geneva, Switzerland.
"It's obviously gutting," Nelsen said today just moments after the Lancashire club had secured a UEFA Cup spot with their 1-0 upset of English champions Chelsea.
"I've been really looking forward to the Brazil game because I haven't played for the All Whites for ages.
"It's just put a dampener on the season, missing the last couple of games and obviously the All Whites tour."
All Whites coach Rikki Herbert conceded Nelsen's injury was a blow for New Zealand, given his commanding performances for Blackburn in the premiership.
The 28-year-old Cantabrian last played for New Zealand on June 6, 2004, when he captained the All Whites to a 2-0 win over Fiji at the dual Oceania Nations Cup-World Cup qualifying tournament in Adelaide.
"Ryan has really established himself in the premiership and it would have been great to have him involved in the national team again without those club pressures, especially against the best team in the world," Herbert said.
"To have that taken away from us is a massive, massive disappointment, not only from my point of view but also for the public of New Zealand."
Nelsen knew something was wrong the moment he was struck in the Charlton game.
"I just went into a tackle and got hit on the side of the leg. The ankle went numb and my knee was tingling. It was about the 30th minute and I played on until halftime and tried to run it off in the second half but I obviously couldn't.
"I had it X-rayed the next day and luckily it's not too bad. I don't need a cast because it's not a weight bearing bone.
"I just need a little splint. I have to return to Blackburn for a X-ray in four weeks' time and if it's all good I can start my rehab, start running on it again."
Herbert said Nelsen's scratching vindicated the announcement of such a large 2010 World Cup squad earlier this year.
"People have questioned why we named an extended squad of 38 but I think they can see why now. There were 14 players unavailable for the (recent) Chile tour for various reasons.
"We have to get as many players up to speed as possible just in case we have injuries going into next year's (Oceania) World Cup qualifiers."
The All Whites are set to assemble in Europe on May 23 for their two-week long tour. New Zealand Soccer will announce the All Whites full itinerary shortly, including confirmation of their two warm-up matches before the date with Brazil.
Herbert intends naming his 20-man squad on Monday, May 15.
- NZPA
Ryan Nelsen
A leg injury has cost star defender Ryan Nelsen a place on the All Whites' soccer tour of Europe later this month - including New Zealand's dream date with World Cup favourites Brazil.
Nelsen will be sidelined for at least a month after fracturing his left fibula in the first half of
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