West Ham have granted new signing Winston Reid permission to play two New Zealand friendly matches in October.
Upton Park new boy cleared to play in All Whites friendlies
West Ham have granted new signing Winston Reid permission to play two New Zealand friendly matches in October.
The 22-year-old arrived at Upton Park from Danish club Midtjylland earlier this month and is expected to play a key role in manager Avram Grant's plans this season.
However, the Premier League club have given the defender clearance to feature in the All Whites' first internationals since their unbeaten run at the World Cup in South Africa this summer.
Crucial
New Zealand Football chief executive Michael Glading insists the presence of Reid and other foreign-based stars such as Blackburn captain Ryan Nelsen is crucial for the friendlies.
"We have to go back to what is the purpose of this game," Glading told
Radio Sport.
"It's to start a new campaign, and it's to pay homage to and pay thanks to the support the New Zealand people gave to this team.
"I think that's reason enough to say if that request did come to actually turn it down, frankly.
"On the positive front we've already had clearance from West Ham."
