Soccer: Derby day chance for fullbacks to shine

James Pritchett (front) missed games in Abu Dhabi through injury. Photo / Getty Images

James Pritchett and Aaron Scott have perhaps their best chance to show their credentials for a World Cup call-up in tomorrow's Auckland derby in the NZFC.

The two right fullbacks are among the leading contenders to get Ricki Herbert's nod when he names his World Cup line-up and they go toe to toe at Fred Taylor Park tomorrow.

As the incumbent (well, as close to an incumbent as possible given Herbert's reshuffle in the games against Bahrain where he went with a rejigged formation using Leo Bertos and Tony Lochhead as wing backs), Scott probably has the inside running.

Herbert has indicated the 18 players in the squad for the Bahrain matches are likely to be handed tickets to South Africa which leaves Pritchett and David Mulligan on the outside looking in.

Mulligan, with 25 internationals, is more experienced than Scott and Pritchett, but he is struggling to get a game these days - he hasn't been on the bench this season and has played only three times since signing with the Wellington Phoenix in July 2008.

Pritchett has the chance to impress where it counts - on the playing field.

"Not at all," was Pritchett's reply when asked if he had given up his World Cup dream. "I have stopped work so I can put in more work. I'm doing extra sessions in the gym and this week have started doing ball sessions with my dad [Keith Pritchett, who played almost 200 league games in England including a long stint at Watford as a talented left back].

"I'll work my arse off to get back into the All Whites."

Pritchett still struggles with his dumping after playing four of the All Whites' eight World Cup qualifying matches.

"I was told before the Confederations Cup I was still in the picture. But nothing was said at that time. I don't know why I got dropped. I want to show I am better than Aaron Scott."

Pritchett points out he has played at left back and could provide cover for Lochhead if required.

"I'm definitely not in Tony's class as a left back, but I want the chance to show I can play both sides."

Pritchett, Mulligan and Lochhead, along with Waitakere United strikers Allan Pearce and Brent Fisher, were members of Kevin Fallon's team who played at the 1999 Fifa Under-17 World Cup.

Scott left the field early in Waitakere's last-gasp win over YoungHeart Manawatu last weekend, but coach Neil Emblen expects he will be over his "dead leg" and be ready to play.

"I see him as our best at right back," said Emblen. "He did okay when I asked him to go in and play as a central defender but right back is his best position.

"He deserves to be where he is [in the All Whites squad]. He is a brilliant lad to work with. No one trains harder or is more committed than Aaron.

"He travels up from Hamilton for training and never complains. While he still needs to work on some parts of his game, the pace and work ethic he brings are enough for him to be in the international picture.

"I feel James Pritchett should also be in the mix. He was unlucky to miss those games in Abu Dhabi through injury, but we know he will be out there for City on Saturday giving it 100 per cent," said Emblen. "But, if Jason Rowley had been fit, I think he could have pushed them both."