Soccer: Hay in doubt for Charlton Athletic match

Ricki Herbert's All Whites arrived in London with an injury cloud hanging over captain Danny Hay ahead of Sunday morning's (NZ time) European soccer tour opener at Charlton Athletic.

The 31-year-old central defender rates himself just a 50-50 chance of being for fit for the pre-season friendly at The Valley after straining his right calf muscle during a training run in Auckland last week.

It is a frustrating development for Hay who had just recovered from the torn stomach muscle that forced him off before halftime in the All Whites' 4-0 loss to Brazil in Switzerland on June 4.

"I was just trying to do the right thing by getting fit," the former Leeds United defender said after the All Whites settled into their hotel Blackheath in South-East London.

"I'll definitely be right by the second game against Blackburn Rovers (August 16). I don't know what it is, maybe a sign of old age.

"I suppose I was trying to push myself in the two weeks leading into this tour after the stomach injury to try to get in as much work as I could."

The All Whites three-match tour will allow coach Herbert the chance to try some young players.

"We've already shown we're capable of competing with very good European opposition (NZ's win over Georgia and draw in Estonia in May). There are no ranking points on the line so these are practice matches as they are for the clubs," Hay said.

"It's all about giving players experience."

Herbert gave his 20-man squad the afternoon off yesterday after their long-haul to London via Los Angeles.

- NZPA