Ricki Herbert refuses to put any negative spin on Ryan Nelsen's decision to pull out of the New Zealand team he was to lead against Australia in London next month.
Nelsen yesterday confirmed his unavailability for the one-off friendly at Fulham's Craven Cottage ground after his Blackburn Rovers club hadconcerns about him playing and aggravating a groin injury.
That Nelsen is in the midst of contract negotiations with his Premier League club has, no doubt, brought added pressure.
"I'm not going to force him into something he is not comfortable with," Herbert said. "The club are saying they don't want him to play. They want him to be ready to start the new season in the right condition. Losing a player under these circumstances is nothing new. The Australians have been through it with Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka. Ryan is playing in the Premier League. His club will make certain calls. In the greater scheme of things they might see a game between New Zealand and Australia as unimportant.
"We don't see it in that light. I, and my assistants Brian Turner and Stu Jacobs, are very passionate about this game. Even in losing Ryan we are approaching it as we always have. Another player will now get his chance. That's the way of international football."
Herbert has added Jeremy Christie and Noah Hickey to the 18-man squad to cover Nelsen and US-based defender Tony Lochhead who has glandular fever.
Danny Hay will take over as captain for the June 10 match which will give the Socceroos vital preparation for the Confederations Cup in Germany.
Herbert has put on a brave face as he heads to the biggest test of his coaching career. He refuses to point fingers but surely he has every right to feel let down by Nelsen's late call.
Herbert, his staff and six New Zealand-based players will leave for London on June 3. They will be joined by most of the players the following day.
