Danny Hay was today named to replace injured fellow defender Ryan Nelsen as New Zealand skipper for the soccer friendly against Australia in London next month.
Nelsen has pulled out of the international at Craven Cottage on June 10 (New Zealand time) after being told by his English Premier League
club, Blackburn Rovers, to rest a groin problem.
The match will be Hay's first as starting skipper for the All Whites.
It will also be his first appearance for his country since gaining his 21st cap during the Confederations Cup two years ago.
After that tournament, the former Leeds United defender announced his international retirement, but has changed his mind since joining the New Zealand Knights.
Coach Ricki Herbert also announced the replacements for Nelsen and defender Tony Lochhead, who has glandular fever.
Striker Noah Hickey and midfielder Jeremy Christie will come into the 18-man squad, which will assemble in London on June 5.
The Waitakere United pair were both in the original 30-strong extended squad with Christie expected to play a defensive role if required.
Herbert said the loss of Nelsen and Lochhead, who plays for the University of California Santa Barbara, was disappointing, but it was a case of moving on.
"We've gone from players who would have been in the starting 11 to making some different decisions there," he told NZPA.
"We are going to lose experience there, but it opens the door for someone else and that's important too."
Herbert said he understood Nelsen's situation.
"I've spoken extensively to Ryan, so it's very transparent," he said.
"He has had a long, extensive season and there are some medical problems that he would like to tidy up."
Herbert said Nelsen had expressed interest in spending time with the squad in London.
Nelsen, 27, said he was in a tough position, wanting to play against the Socceroos but being told by club manager Mark Hughes that he didn't want him to.
An added complication was that Nelsen was poised to sign a new contract with Blackburn, for whom he has starred since transferring from US club DC United in January.
"If I play that game and seriously injured myself, my contract would probably be taken away," Nelsen told Radio Sport.
"That's always in the back of your mind."
- NZPA
Danny Hay
Danny Hay was today named to replace injured fellow defender Ryan Nelsen as New Zealand skipper for the soccer friendly against Australia in London next month.
Nelsen has pulled out of the international at Craven Cottage on June 10 (New Zealand time) after being told by his English Premier League
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