Soccer: Herbert's debut nightmare

Ryan Nelsen

Ricki Herbert can still manage a smile - but only just.

His first foray into soccer's big time as coach of the New Zealand national side shows all the signs of turning into a nightmare.

First-choice captain Ryan Nelsen will not make a final decision on his availability because of a groin injury for next month's one-off match against Australia in London until today. But Herbert is resigned to having to go into his first match as All Whites coach without the influential defender.

Losing Nelsen, who has been an outstanding performer for English Premier League club Blackburn Rovers, would be a body blow as Herbert and assistants Brian Turner and Stu Jacobs prepare for what is the only confirmed fixture for the New Zealand team this year.

The loss of US-based defender Tony Lochhead adds to their woes. Lochhead, who was the outstanding player and one of a few All Whites to show much in last year's disastrous Oceania Nations Cup campaign in Adelaide, has glandular fever and will miss the June 10 match at Fulham's Craven Cottage ground.

Already ruled out was another US-based player, Duncan Oughton, who is recovering after a knee operation.

Oughton, Nelsen and Lochhead would have been hot picks for the starting XI.

"In Ryan's case it is solely a medical decision," Herbert said.

"He has been hampered by the groin injury and needs time to allow it to heal completely.

"Any decision to withdraw will be purely on those grounds. It has nothing to do with Fifa windows or the fact the match is only a friendly.

"His club had no issues, apart from the injury, with him playing. They have released other international players at the club."

Nelsen, who missed the first couple of games in Adelaide, also through a groin injury, returned to the US and played the rest of his MLS season before joining Blackburn in January.

"He has had back-to-back seasons," Herbert said. "As a Premier League player, he could face up to 50 games in the next season. He is in some discomfort and needs time."

Herbert said Nelsen would remain in the squad even if he does not play.

They will, however, bring in replacements for Lochhead and Nelsen (if needed).

Given the reasonable defensive cover they already have, it might be they opt for another young player. Midfielder Jeremy Christie might be in the picture ahead of out and out defenders Cole Tinkler or Andy Boyens.

Losing Lochhead robs the team of pace on the flanks and may open the way for the experienced Noah Hickey or perhaps Allan Pearce, who showed out at times for Waitakere United in the New Zealand Football Championship.

The captaincy could fall to one of the experienced trio with Danny Hay possibly given the nod ahead of Ivan Vicelich and Vaughan Coveny.

* Nelsen was yesterday named by London-based Press Association as one of the two "bargain buys of the season" and included in a mock premiership second XI. He is in the process of negotiating a new three-year deal with Rovers.

"Ryan's proved himself at this level," Blackburn manager Mark Hughes said. "We look forward to rewarding him accordingly."

The big match

NZ v Australia
June 10
Craven Cottage, Fulham