KEY POINTS:
Simon Elliott's long-awaited return to the All Whites has been further delayed and, depending on his injury problems, he is unlikely to resume his international career before next year.
The England-based midfielder has not played any games for New Zealand in recent times, spending the last year on
the sideline with his English club Fulham as he battled an Achilles tendon injury.
"Simon has told me he could be out for another six months after injuring his other Achilles," said All Whites coach Ricki Herbert yesterday. "He and Kris Bouckenooghe are both out of next month's World Cup qualifiers against Fiji."
Bouckenooghe, based in Belgium, is struggling with a calf injury.
On a brighter note, Herbert remains hopeful reinstated captain Ryan Nelsen will fly into Auckland on October 9 to prepare for the home match with Fiji at North Harbour Stadium four days later.
Herbert must reduce his 23-player squad to 18 for the home and away ties with Fiji.
Provided Nelsen is fit and comes through his expected return to Blackburn Rovers without further hamstring concerns, he will anchor the All Whites' defence. He is likely to be joined in the centre of the back four starting line-up with Dutch-based Ivan Vicelich.
Wellington Phoenix defender Tony Lochhead will almost certainly start at left back but Herbert faces a conundrum at right back, with Jeremy Christie, James Pritchett, David Mulligan and Steven Old as options.
Provided Tim Brown does get some football after being sidelined for so long in recovering from injury, he is likely to play in the midfield along with Mulligan, Leo Bertos and perhaps Duncan Oughton or Chris James.
Shane Smeltz and Chris Killen are the obvious strikeforce while the goalkeeping berth is a toss-up between Phoenix custodians Glen Moss and Mark Paston.
Whichever goalkeeper does not play for the national side will travel to play the A-League game with Newcastle Jets the following day. Jacob Spoonley, the third goalkeeper in both squads, will provide cover - probably for the All Whites - with Herbert able to look elsewhere for a back-up for the Phoenix.
Other players in contention for the Fijian games include Andy Boyens and Ben Sigmund, who showed out in the draw against Wales, Andy Barron, Jeff Campbell and Jarrod Smith.
Herbert is keen to delay his departure for Fiji until the day before the October 17 return.
The venue has yet to be confirmed, but is likely to be Ba, which would mean a flight to Nadi and a bus trip.
"You are not going to acclimatise in four days so we would be better off staying here and continuing our preparation and then flying about 24 hours before kick-off," said Herbert.
The clash of fixtures is not concerning Herbert. In some ways he sees it as a blessing and a chance to give some of the players in his now fully fit Phoenix squad some much-needed game time.
"It is a win-win situation really," said Herbert. "I have eight All Whites at the Phoenix but I have said all along that is no guarantee they will be picked to play for the national side. Here is an opportunity to mix and match and consider players like Vince Lia, Cleberson, George Paladini and Greg Draper for the Newcastle game."
Herbert is expected to name his trimmed-down World Cup squad early next week.