Winston Reid is out of the All Whites match against Korea next week.
New Zealand Football had delayed making the decision as long as possible, hoping there was a slight chance the West Ham defender would be able to play the game in Seoul.
But the 26-year-old was ruled out earlier today, as he hasn't recovered sufficiently from the hamstring strain picked up at the beginning of the month.
Reid also missed the last series of friendlies in China and Thailand and has barely played for his country over the last 18 months due to untimely injuries.
Today's news is a major - but not unexpected - blow for the New Zealand side, ahead of the encounter with the Asian powerhouses. Coupled with the earlier withdrawal of Tommy Smith, the All Whites now lack experience in the centre of defence.
It's likely that Phoenix defender Michael Boxall and Greek Super League player Themistoklis Tzimopoulos will now form the central defensive pairing.
The 26-year-old Boxall has played nine times for the All Whites, since making his debut against China in 2011. Tzimopoulos has yet to represent New Zealand but has almost 100 games in the Greek Super League behind him.
*Michael Burgess travelled to Korea with assistance of ASB Bank, the principal partner of New Zealand Football.
By Michael Burgessof the New Zealand Herald in Seoul
