Soccer: Shuffled XI to take on Spanish

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert feels a little like the meat in the sandwich as he prepares to put the national side out for probably the last time this year.

Tomorrow morning's match against FC Sevilla comes between the Spanish giants' game against Manchester United last weekend and next week's Uefa Super Cup clash with Barcelona.

Herbert said: "We have to accept this is not our best side and that the players we have here will find it difficult. But if it was a case of not playing games like this because we are not at full strength or going out and doing our best as we continue the search for the players we need, I would definitely take the game."

Herbert has struggled to put out his best team on tour.

Captain Danny Hay missed the first game against Charlton through injury, Ryan Nelsen was also ruled out of the Blackburn game, also through injury, while key defender Tony Lochhead was sidelined for that second match with a stomach virus.

Lochhead returns to play Sevilla but Chris Killen, who was to join the side for his only outing, is now on crutches after suffering a serious shin injury while playing for Hibernian in their 0-0 draw at Inverness on Sunday.

Herbert has named Brent Fisher, available for the only time on the three-match tour, to partner Jarrod Smith in a two-pronged attack.

Chris James, impressive in the tour opener, will take a central attacking midfield role with Tim Brown taking the holding role behind Andy Barron and Jeff Fleming.

While goalkeeper James Bannatyne gets his first outing after Mark Paston played the first two matches, defender Andy Boyens has yet to get his chance.

"Whether he gets the opportunity to grab his debut appearance remains to be seen," said Herbert. "There is that chance, but it will have to be the right situation."

Herbert admitted that if he was required to name what he considered his best XI today - with all players available - probably only two of the players in tomorrow's starting XI would be included.

ALL WHITES TEAM
* In Seville, 7.45am tomorrow (NZ time)

James Bannatyne, James Pritchett, Danny Hay (c), Steven Old, Tony Lochhead, Tim Brown, Andy Barron, Jeff Fleming, Chris James, Brent Fisher, Jarrod Smith. Substitutes: Mark Paston, Andy Boyens, Raf de Gregorio, Michael Wilson, Paul Urlovic, Campbell Banks.