Midfielder's World Cup hopes dashed by injury

Suburban Newspapers

INJURED: Overseas reports have said All Whites hopeful Craig Henderson needs knee surgery and could be out for 6-8 months, ruling him out for the World Cup.

Relevant offers

Football

Wellington Phoenix go down to Central Coast Phoenix and Mariners both without for clash Portsmouth in administration for second time Beckham backs Redknapp as England manager Inter Milan slump to third straight loss Heart pinch 1-0 win over Gold Coast Manchester City score late win over Porto Stuff.co.nz's 'The Football Podcast' - Episode 16 Manchester United ease to 2-0 win at Ajax Brazilian football head linked to another scandal

Swedish-based midfielder Craig Henderson's dream of representing the All Whites at this year's football World Cup appears to be over before it started.

According to overseas reports, the Wellingtonian is facing six to eight months on the sideline because he needs cruciate ligament surgery on the injured knee that kept him out of the All Whites' friendly against Mexico two weeks ago.

That match was to be the 22-year-old's first senior international, with coach Ricki Herbert extremely keen to keep the versatile midfielder in frame for the World Cup.

The former United States college star sustained the injury while training with his new Swedish top-flight club, Mjallby AIF, in a pre-season camp last month.

Mjallby rehab manager Mats Book said the latest scan revealed Henderson would require surgery on the knee. "Such injuries usually take this around six to eight months before they're back.

"And we regret to say that Craig will not play any more for the rest of the year, so any possible World Cup participation is thus excluded." Henderson could not be contacted.

There is better news for All Whites striker Chris Killen, who struck a second-half goal for Middlesbrough in their 1-1 draw with Reading in the English Championship (second division) yesterday.

- © Fairfax NZ News