Lochhead will see a specialist on Thursday about a torn left adductor, which may require surgery and could keep the Wellington Phoenix fullback out of action for between eight to 16 weeks, ruling him out of New Zealand’s matches on October 9 in Auckland and three days later in Wellington.
The injury is not a recurrence of the groin injury Lochhead had surgery on prior to the FIFA World Cup but is still frustrating for the 37-cap defender who played every minute of the All Whites’ unbeaten campaign in South Africa.
“It’s always tough sitting on the sidelines but the important thing is to get myself right,” Lochhead says.
“Playing for New Zealand is always special and these games have a little bit extra about them because we are playing at home so soon after the World Cup.
“We haven’t had two teams of this calibre here for quite some time so it’s frustrating to miss these two big fixtures.”
Lochhead is the second World Cup All White to be ruled out of the ASB International Series through injury with Rory Fallon recuperating from a hernia operation.
Ricki Herbert will not call up a replacement for Lochhead and instead the squad will remain at 20 players.
Yesterday, Herbert named the rest of his World Cup squad – minus the retired Andy Barron and James Bannatyne – for the matches against the fellow FIFA World Cup finalists.
ASB Internationals Series
New Zealand v Honduras
North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
Saturday, October 9, 7.30pm kick-off
New Zealand v Paraguay
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Tuesday, October 12, 7.30pm kick-off
Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketek.com.
Adult ticket prices range from $39 to $55 per ticket for both venues*.
*Includes event transport to and from North Harbour stadium for tickets holders for the All Whites v Honduras match at North Harbour Stadium on key routes.
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For the latest news visit www.nzfootball.co.nz