Reid ready to lead Kiwis again

West Ham United defender Winston Reid is set to captain New Zealand on his return for the All Whites after a year's absence as they prepare to face Uzbekistan in Tashkent.

Reid was a prominent member of the national side that played in the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa, playing every minute of their three group games and scoring in their 1-1 draw with Slovakia.

The 26-year-old has been capped 17 times, taking over the captaincy after fellow centre-back Ryan Nelsen retired from international football in 2013. However, the Hammers' commanding defender has not featured for the Kiwis in just over a year due to a troublesome high ankle sprain.

The All Whites are preparing for the match in Tashkent on Monday 8 September with a training camp in Doha, Qatar. The game represents a new era for New Zealand football as it is new coach Anthony Hudson's first game in charge following the end of Ricki Herbert's eight-year reign. 

Speaking about Hudson's vision, Reid said: "He clearly told us what he expected from us from the beginning. The guys know from day one what's expected from them and that's very important. I'm sure when the camp is finished we'll have a better idea of how he wants us to play and what he expects from us as a group and as individuals.

"We want to get to another World Cup, that's going to be hard and it's going to take a bit, but we want to get there. I also want to get to another Confederations Cup so those are two goals that I want to achieve and to get to those two stages will be great."

With New Zealand currently 98th in the FIFA World Rankings, Reid knows it will be tough. However he is confident that the All Whites are more than capable of qualifying.

Talking about his return to international football, Reid said: "I haven't played since last year around about this time due to my injury so it's nice to be back here with the team and not a lot has changed so it's good."

"I want to do my best here and make sure everyone in and around the squad is here to improve themselves and the team as a whole."

Reid is one of three senior West Ham players on international duty. Enner Valencia is in the Ecuador squad that will face Bolivia in Miami on Saturday 6 September and Brazil in New Jersey on Tuesday 9 September.

Cheikhou Kouyate has been included by Senegal, who face their opening two 2015 CAF Africa Cup of Nations Group G qualifiers against Egypt on Friday 5 September and Botswana on Wednesday 10 September.

Joey O'Brien has withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland squad due to a knee injury.