The rib injury to All Whites striker Chris Wood has added to mounting injury problems at his Newcastle United club.
Wood was forced off Eden Park after only half an hour of New Zealand’s game against Australia when he could not overcome a rib injury sustained in the 12th minute after a collision with defender Thomas Deng.
The 30-year-old forward tried to shake off the pain but was clearly in discomfort and had to be substituted.
After the match, Wood said: “I went in for a challenge and something popped in my rib. It hurt to run and breathe, so I had to come off.”
English media reported the injury, with stories saying it would be assessed on his return to Newcastle.
However, Wood’s availability for Newcastle’s Premier League game at Fulham on Saturday is in doubt.
Compounding the issue was an injury to Alexander Isak, Newcastle’s club-record signing, who withdrew from Sweden’s international squad due to an unspecified injury.
Sweden coach Janne Anderson said: “It is of course sad, mainly for Alex, but also for us as a team. But, after speaking with both our medical team and Alex, it is the right decision for him to leave.”
Main photo: Wood tries to shake off injury in dug-out. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Phototek.
READ MORE: Wood urges football bosses to keep Danny Hay in All Whites coaching role >>>>
READ MORE: Socceroos spoilt the party as bumper crowd farewells Winston Reid >>>>
Newcastle’s injured list
Other Newcastle players under injury clouds include:
- Bruno Guimaraes who was not involved in Brazil’s win against Ghana because of a thigh injury.
- Elliott Anderson who withdrew from the Scottish U-21 squad because of injury.
- Forward Callum Wilson who returned to training last week after not playing since August and who is unlikely to manage 90 minutes against Fulham.
- Winger Allan Saint-Maximin who has been sidelined since August and is not expected to be fit for the Fulham game.
More stories
