Positive news for All Whites coach

The All Whites have received a massive boost for their upcoming Fifa World Cup qualifying playoff matches, with both Chris Wood and Winston Reid over their recent injury problems.

New Zealand play Peru in home-and-away qualifiers, starting next weekend, to decide who will go to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, so the All Whites will desperately need their two English Premier League stars.

Burnley striker Wood injured his hamstring against Manchester City two weeks ago and West Ham defender Reid strained his calf, but their respective managers had some positive news yesterday.

Burnley manager Sean Dyche was optimistic Wood, who has scored four goals since joining the Clarets, would be available for their game against Southampton on Saturday (Sunday NZT).

‘‘I’m happy with the strikers, I’m happy with the way they are performing,’’ Dyche said.

‘‘There’s a lot of competition up there, which is a good thing.

‘‘[Wood] has been on the grass with us today and we think he will be involved. I say ‘think’ to make sure he has no reaction over the next 24 hours.’’

Wood missed Burnley’s match against Newcastle last week, while Reid did not play against Crystal Palace.

West Ham coach Slaven Bilic also had good news when talking about Reid and his fellow defender Aaron Cresswell ahead of their match against Liverpool on Saturday (Sunday NZT). ‘‘They’re fit and they trained today,’’ Bilic said. ‘‘They should be OK for the game against Liverpool.’’