Good news re Wood & Garbett.
Though imagine the Woodsman will be on restricted mins, and what we don't want is a Wood only walking around the field. Not saying that will happen, but again the AWs almost looked better when he left the field against Ireland, and Singh became the main man. Back then like now CW was returning from an injury, and not at full sharpness for those games.
Squad to be named tomorrow. If there is to be a surprise call up, maybe Jay Herdman.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350207012/ben-old-set-join-growing-all-whites-core-road-2026-fifa-world-cup
The signs are positive for the inclusion of captain and star striker Chris Wood, who returned to training with Nottingham Forest this week after suffering a hamstring injury in late January.
Old is viewed as a player on the same wavelength as Garbett, Joe Bell, Elijah Just, Callum McCowatt, Sarpreet Singh and Marko Stamenic, who are starting to form a core group of young midfielders ahead of the start of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup later this year.
With four goals and three assists to his name in the first 19 rounds this A-League Men season, there is every chance Old could earn his first All Whites start this month, with McCowatt, who started on the left of a front three in both matches in November, the player most likely to make way.
Old’s Phoenix team-mate Kosta Barbarouses is also expected to be recalled to the All Whites and make his first appearance in a squad since last March, after scoring 10 goals and setting up four others heading into round 20 this weekend.
Though imagine the Woodsman will be on restricted mins, and what we don't want is a Wood only walking around the field. Not saying that will happen, but again the AWs almost looked better when he left the field against Ireland, and Singh became the main man. Back then like now CW was returning from an injury, and not at full sharpness for those games.
Squad to be named tomorrow. If there is to be a surprise call up, maybe Jay Herdman.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350207012/ben-old-set-join-growing-all-whites-core-road-2026-fifa-world-cup
The signs are positive for the inclusion of captain and star striker Chris Wood, who returned to training with Nottingham Forest this week after suffering a hamstring injury in late January.
Old is viewed as a player on the same wavelength as Garbett, Joe Bell, Elijah Just, Callum McCowatt, Sarpreet Singh and Marko Stamenic, who are starting to form a core group of young midfielders ahead of the start of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup later this year.
With four goals and three assists to his name in the first 19 rounds this A-League Men season, there is every chance Old could earn his first All Whites start this month, with McCowatt, who started on the left of a front three in both matches in November, the player most likely to make way.
Old’s Phoenix team-mate Kosta Barbarouses is also expected to be recalled to the All Whites and make his first appearance in a squad since last March, after scoring 10 goals and setting up four others heading into round 20 this weekend.
The March international window is likely to come too soon for Marco Rojas, who only made his first start for Brisbane Roar last weekend, after joining them at the end of January. While uncapped Fulham youngster Matt Dibley-Dias is back playing for their under-21 team, he is also unlikely to be there.