Soccer: Herbert has one eye on World Cup with call-ups

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Ricki Herbert has fired the first shots in his next World Cup campaign by including six uncapped players in his extended group from which he will next week name the 22-strong squad to play in China and Japan this month.

Marco Rojas has, as expected, been given an All Whites call-up and will be joined by fellow Under-20 international squad member Luke Rowe (Birmingham City).

Also given the nod for the first time are United States-based Jake Gleeson and Michael Boxall as well as defender Michael Fitzgerald who is playing in Japan with Albirex Niigata.

Rojas ,19, has no regrets about picking New Zealand over his Chilean heritage.

He enjoyed a breakthrough season for the Wellington Phoenix in soccer's A-League, making 16 appearances and scoring two goals.

But while he has been tight-lipped about his club future, his international intentions are clear.

"It was a very tough decision given my background with two nationalities," Rojas said.

"But growing up in New Zealand and playing all my football here, it felt more comfortable playing for New Zealand."

Craig Henderson, who was a year ago named in the squad for the 2-0 loss to Mexico in Pasadena but injured in training before the match, gets another chance.

Kosta Barbarouses has, as expected, been recalled after narrowly missing the World Cup cut and will add to his one international cap.

Fellow striker Kris Bright, who has signed with Budapest Honved, has also been recalled after he missed the trip to South Africa after playing four matches in the lead-up.

Of the players who went to South Africa, only retired Team Wellington players James Bannatyne and Andy Barron have not been included although injured goalkeeper Mark Paston and his Wellington Phoenix teammate Leo Bertos will not be considered for the travelling party.

Herbert would not be drawn on the likelihood of more experienced players including Simon Elliott and Ivan Vicelich being named given the unlikelihood of them being around for the next World Cup.

"It is important to get some players into the mix immediately and I would not say that players like Elliott and Vicelich will miss out. It might be good to pair them up with the younger players," said Herbert.

"Whoever the 22 players who travel are, we will be comfortable."

While not being drawn on Rojas' future with the Phoenix, Herbert did say he would travel for the matches against China in Wuhan on March 25 and Japan in Tokyo four days later.

While Herbert has retained most of his World Cup staff including technical adviser Raul Blanco, there has been a change of role for former assistant coach Brian Turner who becomes project manager while Neil Emblen, who played under Herbert at the New Zealand Knights before becoming coach at Waitakere United, has been added as technical assistant.

NZ SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Glen Moss, Jake Gleeson, Mark Paston.

Defenders: Andy Boyens, Michael Boxall, Michael Fitzgerald, Tony Lochhead, Ryan Nelsen, Winston Reid, Luke Rowe, Ben Sigmund, Tommy Smith.

Midfielders: Leo Bertos, Jeremy Brockie, Tim Brown, Jeremy Christie, Aaron Clapham, Simon Elliott, Craig Henderson, Michael McGlinchey, Cole Peverley, David Mulligan, Marco Rojas, Ivan Vicelich.

Forwards: Kosta Barbarouses, Kris Bright, Rory Fallon, Chris Killen, Shane Smeltz, Chris Wood.