By TERRY MADDAFORD
Danny Hay is set for his much-awaited return to international duty when the All Whites head to Europe next month for games against Poland and Estonia.
Hay, who has not played for the national side since the 1998 Oceania Nations Cup in Brisbane, has had an injury-interrupted career
since leaving NSL club Perth Glory for English premier giants Leeds United.
Now at first-division Walsall, Hay will add strength to an already solid New Zealand defensive unit.
His reappearance, possibly alongside captain Chris Zoricich, could allow coach Mick Waitt to use Ryan Nelsen and Ivan Vicelich in the centre of what would be a strong midfield combination.
"Danny is a quality player and allows us to explore other opportunities," said Waitt.
Waitt and assistant coach Ricki Herbert have, as expected, largely gone overseas in naming their 18-man squad for the two-match tour, which gives the All Whites the chance to consolidate their standing in the top 50 on Fifa's ranking list.
The only Football Kingz player selected, captain and midfielder Chris Jackson, will play in just the October 17 game against Poland before returning for the Kingz' home game against defending champions Olympic Sharks three days later.
Australian-based Zoricich (Newcastle United) and Vaughan Coveny (South Melbourne) will be available for both games.
The availability of United States-based Simon Elliott and Duncan Oughton will depend on their MLS playoff commitments. Waitt has named Lee Jones and Glenn Collins as standby players.
Eight players, including Hay, did not play in the All Whites' Oceania Nations Cup win over Australia which earned them their ticket to next year's Confederations Cup.
Young goalkeeper Adam Highfield, now with Finnish club Jokerit FC, will share those duties with US-based Jason Batty.
Striker Chris Killen, now at second-division Oldham, is injured and was not considered.
Poland are ranked 37th in the world and Estonia, whom the All Whites play on October 13, 77th.
The All Whites are 47th.
All Whites squad
Goalkeepers: Jason Batty (California Gold, US), Adam Highfield (Jokerit FC, Finland).
Defenders: Chris Zoricich (Newcastle, Australia, captain), Scott Smith (Woking FC, UK), David Mulligan (Barnsley, UK), Ryan Nelsen (DC United, US), Duncan Oughton (Columbus Crew, US), Gavin Wilkinson (Portland Timber, US), Gerard Davis (Tampere United, Finland), Danny Hay (Walsall FC, UK).
Midfield: Ivan Vicelich (Roda JC, Holland), Noah Hickey (Tampere United, Finland), Simon Elliott (LA Galaxy, US), Aaran Lines (Dresden, Germany), Chris Jackson (Football Kingz, NZ).
Strikers: Vaughan Coveny (South Melbourne, Australia), Shane Smeltz (Adelaide City Force, Australia), Chris Bouckenooghe (KVK Ronse, Belgium).
By TERRY MADDAFORD
Danny Hay is set for his much-awaited return to international duty when the All Whites head to Europe next month for games against Poland and Estonia.
Hay, who has not played for the national side since the 1998 Oceania Nations Cup in Brisbane, has had an injury-interrupted career
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