\u201cAt some point, you\u2019ll be taking a lot of risks, and we don\u2019t want that.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf he could have trained today, he would have been in the squad. There were too many ifs and buts, so we decided to keep him out. We want to keep him fit for longer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Van der Vegt said he hopes Thomas, who is the team captain, would be able to return for PEC Zwolle\u2019s game against Ajax on Monday March 2, 2026 (NZT).<\/p>\n
Thomas is one of a growing number of All Whites combating injuries, including:<\/p>\n
Sarpreet Singh<\/p>\n
Midfielder Sarpreet Singh (26) faces up to eight weeks\u2019 treatment for an injury to the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his left knee, suffered in his comeback game for A-League club Wellington Phoenix.\u00a0He is set to miss New Zealand\u2019s March internationals against Finland and Chile.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Injury sidelines All Whites midfielder Sarpreet Singh for up to eight weeks<\/a> >>>><\/p>\n Matthew Garbett<\/p>\n Midfielder Matthew Garbett (23) is having treatment for a foot injury that\u2019s kept him sidelined for Peterborough United\u2019s last four games in the English Football League One. The club says they hope he\u2019ll return to play Port Vale on March 8 (NZT).<\/p>\n READ MORE: All Whites Marko Stamenic and Matthew Garbett to miss upcoming club games<\/a> >>>><\/p>\n Liberato Cacace<\/p>\n Wing back Liberato Cacace (25) has a hamstring problem, his fourth injury since joining English Championship club Wrexham. Though manager Phil Parkinson says he thinks the injury is minor, Cacace\u2019s return to play is being managed cautiously.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Scan reveals encouraging news on injury to All White Liberato Cacace<\/a> >>>><\/p>\n Chris Wood<\/p>\n All Whites captain Chris Wood (34) is receiving rehabilitation treatment after surgery on his left knee in December. He has not played since October.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Injured All Whites skipper Chris Wood on his fight to get fit<\/a> >>>><\/p>\n Oli Sail<\/p>\n Goalkeeper Oli Sail (30) has been ruled out of New Zealand\u2019s FIFA Men\u2019s World Cup campaign after rupturing a tendon while playing for Auckland FC in the men\u2019s A-League on January 31.<\/p>\n READ MORE: All Whites \u2018keeper Oli Sail \u2018out for quite a while\u2019 after suffering injury<\/a> >>>><\/p>\n Meanwhile, midfielder Marko Stameni\u0107 will not play for his Swansea City club for the rest of February after picking up a suspension after his 10th yellow card in the English Championship season.<\/p>\n His club has five league fixtures in March, giving Stameni\u0107 the chance to reclaim his place in the team before the FIFA international window in late March.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Eden Park booked for final All Whites games ahead of FIFA Men\u2019s World Cup<\/a>\u00a0>>>><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1771626729_411_Sarpreet-Singh.png\")
Sarpreet Singh \u2026 faces up to eight weeks in the treatment room.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Oli-Sail.png\")
Goalkeeper Oli Sail is taken off the pitch after injuring his knee.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/FOF-Weekday-Friday.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/FOF-weekday-Monday.jpg\")
<\/p>\n