Sounds like Tommy Smith will be picked. But maybe some of the L1/L2 guys not.
Roux to come back in for an injured Tuiloma, with Callan Elliott not doing enough in June?
Players needing to find their feet in new environments is one reason why the All Whites squad to be named on Tuesday for next month’s Soccer Ashes could be missing several regulars.
Roux to come back in for an injured Tuiloma, with Callan Elliott not doing enough in June?
Players needing to find their feet in new environments is one reason why the All Whites squad to be named on Tuesday for next month’s Soccer Ashes could be missing several regulars.
Forward Ben Waine, midfielder Matt Garbett and goalkeeper Nik Tzanev have all landed in English League One and Two, where international windows aren’t observed and clubs need to have three away on national team duty to have fixtures postponed.
Bazeley has already reaped rewards from focusing on the bigger picture with centre back Finn Surman, who missed All Whites duty last October and in March to bed in at Portland Timbers, then turned his club form into a coming-of-age outing against Ivory Coast two months ago.
Another factor in Tuesday’s squad naming will be injuries, with left back Liberato Cacace and versatile defender Bill Tuiloma both missing their clubs’ matches at the weekend.
Another factor in Tuesday’s squad naming will be injuries, with left back Liberato Cacace and versatile defender Bill Tuiloma both missing their clubs’ matches at the weekend.
Cacace’s absence was said to be due to hamstring tightness, so he could be okay to travel in two weeks’ time, but Tuiloma’s was said to be due to a hamstring strain, so he looks to be in doubt, which would be a shame given his resurgence at club level of late.
Nando Pijnaker also looks unlikely to feature, as he is sidelined with an ankle injury, while it’s not clear where Alex Rufer is at with regard to match fitness, as he hasn’t featured in either of the Wellington Phoenix’s Australia Cup matches.
Right back Tim Payne is set to return after missing June’s matches while awaiting the birth of his first child, while striker Max Mata is definitely out injured and will have to continue to wait for his first call-up since June last year.
Others eyeing potential returns will be forwards Jesse Randall and Logan Rogerson, midfielder Cam Howieson, right back Storm Roux, and goalkeepers Oli Sail and Michael Woud.
If a new centre back is needed, Oly White George Stanger, who has moved to Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premier League this season, would be the leading contender, with Isaac Hughes at the Phoenix another option.
Lachlan Bayliss would be the leading uncapped contender in midfield, while his Newcastle Jets team-mate Ben Gibson could be a potential new face up front.