New Zealand suffered a scare ahead of Tuesday’s first Twenty20 international against England when skipper Daniel Vettori injured his ankle in training.
The 29-year-old spinner hurt his right ankle and faces intensive treatment in a quest to be fit to play at Eden Park.
“A decision on his availability will be made next week,” a team spokesman said.
Off-spinner Jeetan Patel has been called up as cover for Vettori, who will be replaced as skipper by Brendon McCullum is he is ruled out.
Vettori took over the captaincy from Stephen Fleming last year and led the team to the semi-finals of the World Twenty20, where they were beaten by Pakistan.
Patel, meanwhile, has played eight Twenty20 internationals, taking 11 wickets with a best of 3-20 against South Africa in 2005, and is also a brilliant fielder.
New Zealand and England will play two Twenty20 matches, the second taking place in Christchurch next Thursday.