SOCCER: Wrexham striker Kieffer Moore to miss Wales' World Cup playoff

Wrexham striker Kieffer Moore will miss Wales’ World Cup playoff semifinal due to a hamstring injury he sustained during Wales’ FA Cup loss to Chelsea earlier this month.

The 33-year-old has already missed Championship matches against Hull City and Swansea City and is not expected to return until April, ruling him out of Wales’ March 26 clash against Bosnia-Herzegovina. If Wales wins, they would advance to a playoff final against Italy or Northern Ireland five days later.

Since joining Wrexham from Sheffield United last summer, Moore has scored 13 goals and provided three assists in 36 appearances across all competitions.

“Kieffer’s not going to be right for the internationals, which is a blow for him and for Wales,” Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said. “He’s got this tendon injury which he feels okay with, but it’s one of those injuries where if you push it beyond 80-85%, you risk further muscle problems.”

Parkinson also confirmed that wing-back Liberato Cacace will miss New Zealand’s upcoming internationals with a tendon issue. The 24-year-old, a club-record signing from Serie A side Empoli last July, has made 13 appearances and scored once while managing various injuries.

“Libby will miss New Zealand’s internationals, and we’re focusing on getting him ready for the end of the season,” Parkinson said. “It’s not a major injury, just a series of minor setbacks. We’re doing everything we can to help him contribute.”

Meanwhile, Wrexham defender Dom Hyam has been called up for Scotland’s two March internationals. Scotland qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1998.

—Field Level Media/Reuters