KEY POINTS:
All Whites coach Ricki Herbert has again been forced to cast wide in naming his squad for matches against Wales and Ukraine in a two-match European tour.
Five players have been recalled to the national side for what promises to be another tough test.
Herbert bemoaned the lack
of match-hardened professionals after his team went down to Costa Rica (4-0) and Venezuela (5-0) in March.
Unless there is a dramatic turnaround, this team could be facing a task every bit as difficult.
Among those named in the 19-man squad - it could be increased by one - is Tony Lochhead, who yesterday became Herbert's 12th signing for the Wellington Phoenix.
Lochhead has been playing in the United States, and Herbert has long regarded him as a player of class.
The All Whites are again without English professionals Ryan Nelsen and Simon Elliott, although both have pledged their availability - injuries permitting - for the World Cup campaign later in the year.
Also unavailable are Noah Hickey, who has retired, and Danny Hay, who will remain at home for the birth of his first child.
Recalled are Jeff Campbell (Waitakere United), Chris Killen (Hibernian), Duncan Oughton (Columbus Crew), Andy Boyens (Toronto FC) and James Pritchett (Auckland City).
Campbell has played 16 internationals, but has been on the outer for almost five years. He will be used by Herbert and assistant coach Brian Turner in the midfield and as a dead ball specialist.
"This is a great way to round off the season we have had at Waitakere," said Campbell.
"I think I'm a better player now just for the experience I've had. I was only 23 the last time I played for the All Whites."
Campbell, like many of his teammates, will go into the tour opener against Wales in Wrexham on May 26 with little recent football.
That was a problem Herbert identified in the limp efforts in Central and South America, and he finds himself in much the same situation again.
Killen's inclusion is interesting.
He is seen as the player most likely to lead the attack in the absence of now-retired Vaughan Coveny, but has not played since January.
Even now there is some doubt that he will have recovered sufficiently to take a full part in these matches.
But Herbert is keen to have Killen back in the squad and at least working with the players he will almost certainly join in World Cup play.
Much will fall on the shoulders of experienced defender/midfielder Ivan Vicelich who seems likely to be captain in the absence of Hay and Nelsen.
WHEN AND WHO
TOUR DATES
May 26: v Wales, The Racecourse Ground, Wrexham.
June 6: v Ukraine, Stadion NSK Olimpiyskiy, Kiev.
ALL WHITES
Goalkeepers: Mark Paston, Glen Moss (Wellington Phoenix).
Defenders: Andy Boyens (Canterbury United), Tony Lochhead (Phoenix), Steven Old (Phoenix), Duncan Oughton (Columbus Crew), James Pritchett (Auckland City).
Midfielders: Andy Barron (Canterbury United), Tim Brown (Phoenix), Jeff Campbell (Waitakere United), Jeremy Christie (unattached), David Mulligan (Scunthorpe United), Ivan Vicelich (RKC Waalwijk).
Strikers: Leo Bertos (Perth Glory), Jeremy Brockie (unattached), Chris James (Fulham), Chris Killen (Hibernian), Shane Smeltz (Halifax FC), Jarrod Smith (unattached).