All Whites captain Winston Reid admits getting Chris Wood back to something close to full fitness will be vital to their hopes of beating Peru and winning through to Russia 2018.
Wood started on the bench for the crucial first leg in Wellington, with a hamstring strain leaving him unfit to play a full 90 minutes.
But Wood came on late, and his impact was immediate, causing consternation in the Peru defence as he threw himself around in the box.
Speaking to 1 NEWS' John McKenzie after the match, West Ham United's Reid paid tribute to the efforts of Marco Rojas and Kosta Barbarouses, but said getting fellow Premier League player Wood on the park was of vital importance.
Anthony Hudson said their goal was to still be in the tie in the final minutes of next week's return leg. (Source: Other)
"We always need our best players, Chris is no different, he's a huge part of this team," he said of the Burnley forward.
"I though that the two that played up front - Marco and Kosta - they probably played the best I've seen them in a long time, they were very disciplined.
"But look, we need Chris back, we want him back, so we'll give him the opportunity to let himself heal up and get ready for the next game."
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