Meanwhile, on the pitch, cup fever took hold of the UK with Kiwis in action in both the English and Scottish FA Cups.
Europe
Nelsen, the club captain of Blackburn Rovers, has only figured once in the past nine months, in the second week of the Premier League season when he re-aggravated the knee against Aston Villa.
“Ryan has been feeling a little discomfort after playing in practice games and he has gone to see some of the specialists who deal with the All Blacks rugby squad,” Rovers manager Steve Kean says.
“His absence has been a big blow for us and we are all hoping that he can now find a way forward.”
Across the border in Scotland, Rory Fallon got on the scoresheet for Aberdeen as the Dons cruised to a 4-0 win over Forfar Athletic. The All Whites striker was introduced as an early substitute when Isaac Osbourne succumbed to a hamstring injury after 19 minutes.
Fallon missed a couple of good chances in the opening minutes of the second half before adding Aberdeen’s third goal 20 minutes before the final whistle.
Winston Reid’s West Ham United suffered a 1-0 loss away to Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup.
The defender was at the centre of the Hammers’ best chance when he tumbled under the challenge of Reda Johnson in the Owls box with referee Keith Stroud immediately pointing to the spot.
Teammate Sam Baldock could not convert with his spot-kick though as man-of-the-match goalkeeper Nicky Weaver pulled off a save.
In-form Chris Wood has returned to his parent club West Bromwich Albion after his loan period at Birmingham City expired. The former Waikato FC striker returned to the Baggies’ match day squad for the 4-2 cup win over Cardiff City at the Hawthorns put played no part in the win.
Birmingham boss Chris Hughton is hopeful of the 20-year-old returning to St Andrew’s.
“We’ve been in regular communication with West Brom and he is one we’d like to bring back,” Hughton says.
Asia/Oceania
There was no joy for All Whites midfielder Tim Brown on his 100th appearance for the Wellington Phoenix as the New Zealand-based franchise missed an opportunity to climb to third on the table.
Shane Smeltz returned from injury after two-match absence in Perth Glory’s first win in Wellington. The former Phoenix frontman had a chance to break the deadlock in the 66th minute but his effort smashed against the underside of the crossbar and bounced out.
It took until stoppage time for the Glory to find the net, with Jackson Mitchell heading home unmarked from a free-kick.
Central Coast extended their lead atop the A-League standings to eight points with a game in hand and again Michael McGlinchey was a driving force in midfield for the Mariners.
Marco Rojas has a new boss to impress following Mehmet Durakovic’s dismissal from the Melbourne Victory. Former Northern Ireland international Jim Magilton has been named as the new head coach and tricky winger Rojas will be out to regain his starting position under the new regime.
Rojas featured off the bench again for the Victory, who won for only the fourth time this season courtesy of two own goals from the unlucky Sung-Hwan Byun.
In the W-League, four Football Ferns were in action in the clash between Canberra and Adelaide. Defenders Abby Erceg and Anna Green were unable to halt the Canberra juggernaut as the capital side romped to a 5-0 win to claim the premiership with a round to spare.
Goalkeeper Aroon Clansey made a rare appearance, debuting off the bench as Canberra coach Jitka Klimkova rested Matilda’s first-choice ‘keeper Lydia Williams, giving Clansey the honour of being the only other custodian to have ever played for Canberra.
Also making her first appearance for Canberra was Emma Kete, who completed a transfer from Perth mid-week and was a late substitute in the match.
Canberra now has the bye and a week off to recuperate before a home semi-final, while Adelaide hosts Melbourne Victory.
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz

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