Andrew Durante still a chance of featuring for All Whites in World Cup playoff against Peru

  • 20/10/2017

After initially been ruled out of the All Whites World Cup qualifier against Peru, defender Andrew Durante still has a chance of being fit after getting a second opinion on his groin injury.

On Thursday, the Phoenix confirmed the 35-year-old would miss two to three months with a groin adductor strain, which he picked up late in Wellington Phoenix's 3-2 loss against Sydney FC on the weekend.

Durante will not feature for the Phoenix in their next match against Melbourne City, but Nix head coach Darije Kalezić said after being reviewed by an Auckland specialist, things look positive.

"Durante is still in the process of testing and we don't know the real prognosis of how long he will be out," said Kalezić.

"It can be positive, so let's wait a couple of days and we will know exactly how long it will take.

"What we have to do now is look forward and I really hope Durante can play much sooner than what the first prognosis was.

"We've already spoken with some experts, doctors from Auckland. It's possible. Let's look forward, not anymore behind and I hope for Durante that he will come very fast back because he deserves that as a sportsman and a player and as a captain."

Phoenix and All Whites midfielder Michael McGlinchey said it would be a blow to both Wellington and New Zealand if he faced a lengthy spell on the sideline.

"If he is out for a long time it would be devastating for us. He is a leader on and off the pitch every week and gives you a solid eight out of 10," said McGlinchey.

"He's a massive player for us, but hopefully it's not too serious and he's back quicker than expected.

"If he is out for that [World Cup Qualifiers], it will be huge. He's sort of cemented his spot in that team, but hopefully, the signs are it was worse than it actually is and he could be back quicker."

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