29 Aug 2013

Herbert springs surprises in All Whites squad

7:36 am on 29 August 2013

The New Zealand men's football coach Ricki Herbert's named one newcomer and a couple of other surprises in his squad for the All Whites trip to Saudi Arabia.

The All Whites play in a four nations tournament next month as part of their build up for the final stage of the FIFA World Cup qualification, the Intercontinental playoff in November.

The Waitakere City midfielder Jake Butler's been named in the squad for the first time, while the midfielders Kris Bright and Chris James have been called in from their Finnish clubs.

Bright and James last appeared for the All Whites in 2008 and 2009 respectively, but will push for spots in the midfield with Michael McGlinchey and Dan Keat both ruled out for the tour.

Marco Rojas and Shane Smeltz are both ruled out with injury, but Herbert is expecting them to be fit for the World Cup qualifiers.

All Whites squad:

Goalkeepers - Glen Moss, Jacob Spoonley

Defenders - Winston Reid, Tony Lochhead, Ben Sigmund, Tommy Smith, Andrew Durante

Midfielders - Jake Butler, Leo Bertos, Chris James, Ivan Vicelich, Tim Payne,, Kris Bright, Cameron Howieson

Forwards - Chris Killen, Jeremy Brockie, Kosta Barbarouses, Kris Bright, Chris Wood