Blackcaps opening batsman Martin Guptill will miss the upcoming tour against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.
He suffered a left calf injury while preparing for a Plunket Shield game with Auckland and will need 4-6 weeks of rehabilitation.
Blackcaps selector Gavin Larsen said the team would now look at options to fill the void.
"Unfortunately for Martin, it will take him some time to get over this injury and with a long summer ahead, we need to make sure we minimise the risk of him repeating it.
"Gary Stead and I will work through the possible replacement options. We now have three spots to fill in the T20 and one-day squads."
The Blackcaps face Pakistan in the first of three T20 Internationals on October 31, with three one-day internationals and three tests to follow.
Newshub.
