New Zealand football's high performance manager Fred De Jong says the international playing future of All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen is unclear.
Toronto FC named Nelsen as new head coach of the Canadian club's Major League Soccer side on Wednesday morning.
Nelsen is working through a release with his English Premier League side Queens Park Rangers but will play this weekend against Tottenham.
The All Whites have more World Cup qualifying in March but De Jong says he understands why New Zealand football has been left out of the loop at this stage.
De Jong says Nelsen has to sort out his immediate future with QPR before he considers any ongoing committment to New Zealand.
Nelsen is contracted with QPR till the end of June while Toronto's season begins in March.
