Football: Abby Erceg to make her Football Ferns return

Whangarei's Abby Erceg is in line to return to the Football Ferns. Photo / Getty Images

Whangarei's Abby Erceg will make her return to the Football Ferns nearly a year after retiring from the international setup.

Centre back Erceg and striker Sarah Gregorius will join their old teammates in their next assignment, Scotland, under new coach Andreas Heraf.

She is available for the twin internationals in Spain in early March, having retired a year ago citing the lack of support from New Zealand Football for domestic-based players.

The return of Erceg brings Northland's tally of players in the national squad up to three, with Kamo strikers Hannah Wilkinson and Katie Rood playing up front.

Erceg believes New Zealand Football's progressed and improved over the last 12 months, and says discussions have developed well enough for her to return.

"People are stepping forward and making changes and we've heard each other and I think that's the most positive thing that can come from it," she said.

"At the end of the day, I'm interested in what's happening after, it's how we responded and how we responded to each other. I think it's been positive so far."

Erceg said New Zealand Football has put a lot of effort into its development programme and she believes the environment's improving.

"At the end of the day, that's all you can ask for. Things you can't change overnight but as long as the effort is being put in and the players are put first, I think that's what they are doing at the moment so it's really positive."

The 130-cap veteran is singing a different tune to that of a year ago when she fired shots at NZF for not valuing and supporting the Football Ferns.

However at the time she did state a desire to return to the national side if things changed.

"If the situation does change I would love to represent my country again, there is nothing higher than that and that is what I have based my life around," she said at the time of her retirement.

Heraf, the Technical Director at New Zealand Football, said the return of the pair would inject a huge boost for the Football Ferns as they build towards the 2019 FIFA World Cup in France.

"We are not a big football country so to welcome back Abby and Sarah who have played more than 200 A Internationals between them and many World Cups and Olympics is a great result for our team," he said.

"We know that we are a much stronger team with those two players involved and that we need to continue improving as a football team."

Gregorius announced her retirement in December 2016 but has continued playing locally for Upper Hutt City and Capital Football's National Women's League team.

Uncapped midfielder Emma Rolston is the other addition to the squad that played Thailand in November, while there was no room for defender Liz Anton; midfielders Grace Jale, Maggie Jenkins, Elise Mamanu-Gray and Jana Radosavljevic; and forwards Hannah Blake and Aimee Phillips in a smaller travelling party.

Forward Rosie White (foot), midfielder Daisy Cleverley (knee) and winger Paige Satchell (knee) were not considered for selection due to injury.

The pair of friendlies against Scotland take place on March 3 and 6, at Pinatar Football Arena in San Pedro del Pinatar.

Football Ferns squad to play Scotland
Goalkeepers: Victoria Esson, Anna Leat, Erin Nayler
Defenders: CJ Bott, Abby Erceg, Anna Green, Meikayla Moore, Ali Riley (captain), Rebekah Stott
Midfielders: Katie Bowen, Olivia Chance, Betsy Hassett, Annalie Longo, Ria Percival, Emma Rolston, Malia Steinmetz
Forwards: Sarah Gregorius, Amber Hearn, Katie Rood, Steph Skilton, Hannah Wilkinson