The 23-man All Whites squad to play Mexico in football's intercontinental World Cup qualifiers has been named with uncapped young Central Coast Mariners fullback Storm Roux included.
And the timing of the team's travel to Los Angeles is the only issue for players being allowed to play for their clubs this weekend, with the coach Ricki Herbert saying so long as the team can assemble in LA on Sunday, then they can turn out for their clubs.
That means the All Whites involved in A-League matches on Saturday, including the Wellington Phoenix, who play the Perth Glory in Christchurch that afternoon, could play before flying out with the national side that night - but only if they can make connecting flights.
An announcement is due on Wednesday about shifting that game's kickoff time forward half an hour to just after 5pm, so the seven national players in both squads can make their connecting flights to Auckland then onto Los Angeles in time.
Striker Shane Smeltz plays for the Glory so he's in the same boat as the Phoenix's six All Whites named. Key midfielder Michael McGlinchey will miss his Central Coast side's home match against Brisbane on Sunday.
West Ham are reportedly considering chartering a private plan for their defender Winston Reid, the All Whites captain, so he can play their game Sunday morning, New Zealand time.
The Hammers are apparently in talks with Championship clubs Leicester and Ipswich about sharing the plane with All Whites striker Chris Wood, and All Whites vice captain Tommy Smith.
The new defender Roux has represented New Zealand at Under-20 level at the recent World Cup in Turkey and the 20-year-old has started all four matches of the new A-League season for the Mariners, after making the switch from Perth Glory.
Herbert says Roux's inclusion is reward for a player who has quickly found his feet at the top level across the Tasman, earning a starting spot with the competition champions.
Herbert says the athletic Roux can get forward and put pressure on the likes of Tony Lochhead and Leo Bertos, because he's able to play down both sides.
The attacking trio of Shane Smeltz, Chris Wood and Marco Rojas, who all missed the October friendly with Trinidad and Tobago due to injury, return to the squad.
Rory Fallon is named after earning a recall for the recent 0-0 draw with Trinidad and Tobago, while Bill Tuiloma and Craig Henderson, who earned their first caps last month, are also included.
Chris James, who featured in the September trip to Saudi Arabia for the OSN Cup, is also named while Chris Killen and Tim Payne were not considered due to injury.
The All Whites play in Mexico City next Thursday morning before the return leg in Wellington on Wednesday the 20th.
New Zealand (club, caps, goals):
Goalkeepers:
Glen Moss (Wellington Phoenix - 24/0)
Jacob Spoonley (Wellington Phoenix, - 2/0)
Tamati Williams (Auckland City FC - 0-0)
Defenders:
Andrew Durante (Wellington Phoenix, - 4/0)
Tony Lochhead (Unattached - 46/1)
Winston Reid (Captain / West Ham Utd - 17/1)
Storm Roux (Central Coast Mariners - 0/0)
Ben Sigmund (Wellington Phoenix - 31/2)
Tommy Smith (Ipswich Town FC - 25/2)
Bill Tuiloma (Olympique Marseille - 1/0)
Ivan Vicelich (Auckland City FC - 87/6)
midfielders:
Leo Bertos (Wellington Phoenix - 55/0)
Aaron Clapham (Canterbury Utd - 13/0)
Jeremy Christie (Unattached - 26/1)
Craig Henderson (Mjallby Aif - 1/0)
Chris James (Kuopion Palloseura - 14/0)
Michael Mcglinchey (Central Coast Mariners - 23/3)
Forwards:
Kosta Barbarouses (Melbourne Victory - 22/2)
Jeremy Brockie (Wellington Phoenix - 40/0)
Rory Fallon (St Johnstone - 15/3)
Marco Rojas (Vfb Stuttgart - 15/1)
Shane Smeltz (Perth Glory - 49/23)
Chris Wood (Leicester City FC - 32/10)
