KEY POINTS:
News this week that Ryan Nelsen is considering pulling out of the All Whites' tour of Europe at the end of next month must call into question his commitment to playing for his country.
It is now nearly three years or 14 games since the Blackburn skipper pulled
on an All Whites jersey and Nelsen seemed to pour cold water on the prospect of him taking on Wales and Ukraine on May 26 and June 6.
"It's going to be tough. It's a big tour, I think, and our [Blackburn] pre-season starts late June," he told The Press newspaper.
"It does not give me much rest at all. I need a break after my operation. Saying that, it's still a while away. First I need to get through the remaining six league games we've got left and then maybe I will be right for those [New Zealand] games."
Let's hope so.
It's a delicate situation because Nelsen is clearly the best player this country has produced since Wynton Rufer dazzled Europe in the 1980s and 1990s.
His Premiership career is his bread and butter but it's obvious New Zealand need him following their abject failure against Costa Rica and Venezuela last month. Nelsen needs to be integrated into the side because their World Cup campaign starts in October and his leadership would be invaluable.
Although Australia are now in Asia, improving New Zealand's chances of qualifying for the next stage, their disastrous 4-2 defeat to Vanuatu two years ago shows the island nations cannot be underestimated any more.
If he's not going to play next month, perhaps Nelsen could at least be involved with the squad while they are in Europe.
Nelsen missed New Zealand's only international in 2005, the 1-0 loss to Australia in London, and was absent for their 11 matches last season, including the glamour international against Brazil.
Admittedly, he spent large chunks of 2006 sidelined by injury and injury again saw meant he withdrew from the games against Costa Rica and Venezuela. But it's worrying that he's not had anything to do with the national side for so long.
Nelsen was highly critical of New Zealand Soccer's preparations for the ill-fated 2004 Oceania Nations Cup, which drew censure from NZS's board. It would be hoped there are no lingering issues, especially as a new regime is at the helm.
Nelsen has talked of desperately wanting to play for the All Whites again to add to the 34 caps he has mustered since making his debut against Poland in 1999. Now he needs to show it.