New Zealand's selectors will decide over the next 24 hours whether to choose a replacement for injured Northern Districts all-rounder Scott Styris.

Styris is out of consideration for the first Test against South Africa starting tomorrow in Bloemfontein and will have an operation on his injured knee in South Africa and return home.

He is expected to be out of action for a month and fit for consideration for the one-off home Test and three One-Day Internationals against Zimbabwe starting on Boxing Day.

Selection convener Sir Richard Hadlee said the latest injury to the CLEAR Black Caps touring party was frustrating.

"So far as a replacement for Styris is concerned, I have spoken with the other members of the selection panel and we need to check on the fitness of a couple of prospective candidates before conferring again later today.

"As both Ross Dykes and David Trist are in South Africa, it won't be until at least this evening, or possibly tomorrow morning, before we can name our replacement," Hadlee said.

Compounding the situation is the reported comment from Black Caps coach David Trist that off-spinner Paul Wiseman's injury was still a cause of concern.

That could mean that Central Districts all-rounder Glen Sulzberger, who was sent to Zimbabwe and Kenya as a replacement player earlier in the tour, could be back on the plane.

All-rounder stocks in the medium pace department are also limited but, if that was the selectors' preference, a player like Wellington's James Franklin, who was on the same New Zealand Academy tour of India that elevated Hamish Marshall into the Black Caps, may be one consideration.

Another could be Auckland's Tama Canning. He was a member of the New Zealand 'A' team's tour to England earlier in the year.

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