All Whites manager Anthony Hudson is "very, very confident" that he'll have the services of star striker Chris Wood for the upcoming World Cup playoff with Peru.
The 25-year-old's injured hamstring prevented him from taking the field for his English Premier League side Burnley this past weekend, and manager Sean Dyche has admitted the Aucklander will likely also miss their fixture against Newcastle on Tuesday (NZT).
However, while Hudson's reluctant to go into any great detail, all indications he's received from the club's medical department bode well for his chances of taking the pitch at Westpac Stadium come November 11 as the team chase a spot at Russia 2018.
"The medical staff over there have been really good with us, communicating the situation. We've been talking every day," Hudson told Newshub.
"I'm very, very confident that we'll have [Wood] for the first game."
The 36-year-old was equally bullish regarding the status of skipper Winston Reid, whose ongoing injury woes have added further cause for concern after he missed West Ham's draw against Crystal Palace on Sunday (NZT) with a calf strain.
The club had been in constant communication with the All Whites, said Hudson, and he's "absolutely, 100 per cent" hopeful that the defender will be ready for the Peruvians.
"I'm confident that our captain will be there.
"We have had an incredibly tough time in terms of injuries and, call it what you like, but I have a good feeling that the squad's in a good place and I'm not panicking about any players."
The same couldn't be said for veteran Andrew Durante.
The defender's initial prognosis of eight-to-12 weeks on his abductor injury suggested he'd be unable to take any part in the intercontinental series, until a second opinion drastically reduced his estimated recovery time to have him back in line for his 23rd international appearance.
"The thought of not having him in the squad was tough for me because he adds more than just what he offers on the pitch. It was a great bit of news we got in terms of his recovery.
"He's going to be with us Sunday in camp and we're looking forward to it. He's been great for me, for the team. He's a great character."
It's Sunday when the finalised squad for the two-game series with the South Americans will be announced, according to Hudson.
It's a group which he suggests may contain one or two surprises, with the 23-man contingent designed to contribute to the cause in more ways than simply on the field.
"If there are going to be one or two players that are not going to get on the pitch in this next window, then for me I want players that are going to add something off it. At the very minimum in experience, personality, a voice," says Hudson.
It's the strongest hint yet that two stars of the All Whites 2010 World Cup campaign, Jeremy Brockie and Rory Fallon, may well rejoin the fold after lengthy hiatuses from the international stage.
"For me it's more the best 23 together, rather than the best 23. So yes, a few of my decisions have been made upon that."
The first leg against Peru takes place at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on November 11, with the away leg just four days later on November 15.
Newshub.
