All Whites Pijnaker in race to recover for World Cup after shoulder dislocation

Expectations placed Pijnaker as a key central defender in Darren Bazeleys selection for the World Cup finals from June 11 to July 19 across the US, Canada and Mexico.

Auckland FC announced the injury on Tuesday, noting in their release that the 27 year old born in the Netherlands intends to get additional advice from an expert.

Healing from a dislocated shoulder might demand up to 16 weeks. New Zealands World Cup starts against Iran on June 15.

Pijnaker now shares the injury list with New Zealand backline players Michael Boxall, Tommy Smith, Liberato Cacace and Francis de Vries, as midfielder Sarpreet Singh recovers from a knee issue.

Bazeley received encouraging updates over the weekend, with captain and leading scorer Chris Wood making his return after almost six months in Nottingham Forests 1-1 Premier League result versus Aston Villa, post knee operation.

The New Zealand side faces Egypt and Belgium in the group phase, bringing the All Whites back to the competition for the initial occasion since South Africa in 2010.