Football: Winston Reid returns for All Whites

All Whites coach Anthony Hudson is looking forward to the addition of new backroom staff member Pete Taylor. Photo / Photosport

All Whites coach Anthony Hudson has touted the upcoming games against Mexico and the United States as one of the biggest window in New Zealand football history and it's reflected in the squad he named for the tour.

The 23-man squad includes returns for skipper Winston Reid and Ryan Thomas, who both missed the OFC Nations Cup, as well as a recall for Wellington Phoenix captain Andrew Durante, who last played for the All Whites two years ago.

The new name in the squad is 24-year-old Liam Graham, a right back from Chesterfield in England's Football League One and Henry Cameron returns after making his debut for the All Whites last year in the 1-0 win over Oman before suffering a career-threatening knee injury.

Missing, though, is Phoenix No 1 Glen Moss, with Stefan Marinovic, Jake Gleeson and Tamati Williams the three goalkeepers selected.

Not considered due to injury were Bill Tuiloma, Thomas Doyle, Louis Fenton and Storm Roux.

The All Whites play will friendlies against Mexico and the US on October 8 and 11 respectively as they begin their preparations for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers and next year's Confederations Cup.

"We have missed a number of players for a long time now so it is great to have our captain back and some of the other names we have been missing," said Hudson. "We have a strong squad barring one or two injuries and we are pleased to get them back together for two very good games.

"Winston is excited. He can't wait to get back in with the team. He was in touch with me ahead of my trip to the UK and has been in contact with me regularly to see how the team is developing. We can't wait for him to be back and likewise he can't wait for this tour.

"We have been watching Liam for a while. He had a good pre-season and now has made his debut for the first team and played a few games. He is a good player and we are looking forward to having him with us."

Hudson said the first seven days in camp before the Mexico game in Tennessee would be crucial when players would re-familiarise themselves with each other and the coach would re-establish his style of play.

He also said the results of the two games were important but the bigger picture was being ready for the next stage of World Cup qualifiers, which begin in November.

"That is exactly what friendlies are for. They are there for us to be ready for the qualifiers and that is the most important thing for this team, that we win our qualifiers," said Hudson. "This is a great window to help us prepare for next November and the Confederations Cup. There is one thing on our mind and that is to make sure we are strong in November and get the job done."

All Whites squad for the Tour of USA

Goalkeepers
Stefan Marinovic (SpVgg Unterhaching, Germany) 8, 0
Tamati Williams (RKC Waalwijk, Netherlands) 1, 0
Jake Gleeson (Portland Timbers FC, USA) 8, 0
Defenders
Andrew Durante (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand) 9, 0
Sam Brotherton (Wisconsin University, USA) 6, 0
Michael Boxall (SuperSport Utd, South Africa) 17, 0
Kip Colvey (San Jose Earthquakes FC, USA) 4, 0
Themi Tzimopoulos (PAS Giannina FC, Greece) 6, 1
Winston Reid © (West Ham Utd FC, England) 19, 1
Declan Wynne (Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Canada) 3, 0
Liam Graham (Chesterfield FC, England) 0, 0
Midfielders
Clayton Lewis (Auckland City FC, New Zealand) 3, 0
Michael McGlinchey (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand) 38, 4
Matt Ridenton (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand) 2, 0
Te Atawhai Wihongi (Auckland City FC, New Zealand) 3, 0
Henry Cameron (Blackpool FC, England) 1, 0
Moses Dyer (Eastern Suburbs AFC, New Zealand) 4, 0
Ryan Thomas (PEC Zwolle, Netherlands) 5, 0
Forwards
Kosta Barbarouses (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand) 33, 3
Chris Wood (Leeds Utd, England) 42, 18
Monty Patterson (Ipswich Town FC, England) 5, 0
Marco Rojas (Melbourne Victory FC, Australia) 26, 1
Rory Fallon (Truro City FC, England) 23, 6