English-born, Christchurch-based striker Greg Draper has been handed a surprise late call-up to the New Zealand team for next month's under-20 World Cup in Canada.
Draper, 17, has replaced Japan-based Kayne Vincent in the 21-man squad. Vincent is the only player involved in the Oceania triumph in Aucklandthis year to miss a place in the cup squad.
Draper is joined in the Canada-bound squad by US-based midfielder Aaron Clapham and YoungHeart Manawatu striker Tim Richardson as the only players who did not play in the Oceania qualifiers.
Clapham and Richardson impressed coach Stu Jacobs on April's Chilean tour while Draper forced his way in with solid efforts at a recent training camp.
"Greg is only 17 so he has got another under-20 campaign in him," said Jacobs. "To be fair, what we've probably lacked is an out-and-out striker. Greg showed me in camp that he has got all the attributes. He was the quickest of the group in testing and he is a six-footer so he is not small."
Jacobs will be hoping Chris James produces more of the form he showed in the All Whites 2-2 draw with Wales last month. James and Jeremy Brockie were largely disappointing at the Oceania qualifiers but, in their best form, will play key roles in Canada.
Somewhat surprisingly, Jacobs has retained Canterbury defender Jack Pelter as his captain. Pelter struggled to get a regular spot in the qualifying tournament.
The squad will have a week-long training camp in Wellington from June 11 and depart on June 19 for a warm-up game against Costa Rica on June 22 followed by a second game against the United States in New Jersey on June 25.
