Hopefully he's fit and available in June.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360628705/all-whites-coach-will-hold-world-cup-door-open-ryan-thomas-long-possible
.....he was in contact with All Whites captain Chris Wood in the immediate aftermath of Monday night’s Oceania World Cup qualifying final win over New Caledonia at Eden Park in Auckland and there is plenty of reason to believe a return could be on the cards.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360628705/all-whites-coach-will-hold-world-cup-door-open-ryan-thomas-long-possible
.....he was in contact with All Whites captain Chris Wood in the immediate aftermath of Monday night’s Oceania World Cup qualifying final win over New Caledonia at Eden Park in Auckland and there is plenty of reason to believe a return could be on the cards.
“He got in contact to say congratulations and well done,” Wood said on Tuesday.
“Obviously he's playing well over in Holland. He's back from injury and playing week in week out at the moment, which is fantastic. It's nice to see him doing well.”
Asked if he would like to have Thomas back in the fold for the World Cup, Wood said: “That's a decision he has to make for him and his family.
“I think he's focused on being fully fit for for a long period of time for club football.
“That's the main thing, and after that, he can worry about other things, but he will always do what's right for him and him and his family.”
Bazeley said he has been in regular contact with Thomas during his two years as All Whites coach, knowing that he would be one of the team’s best players if available.
Bazeley said he has been in regular contact with Thomas during his two years as All Whites coach, knowing that he would be one of the team’s best players if available.
“He's a super player. He's a very good player. Potentially, the World Cup might be a nice carrot for him to come and put the shirt on.
“In the conversations I've had with Ryan, he's obviously been through a lot fitness-wise, injury-wise, and he probably needs a good six months playing at club level before he even contemplates taking on extra load.
“It's great to hear that he's in a good place. He's told me that feels good and feels fit.
“That's exciting and we will always leave the door open.”
Bazeley said that while he would definitely be talking to Thomas ahead of the June window, “we’ll never put any pressure on him”.
“He’s always one that we will have an open door for.”