Young New Zealand soccer player Jack Pelter is on the move after being culled from English Premier League club Sunderland.
Pelter, the former New Zealand under-20 captain, was among eight players who have been told by Sunderland manager Roy Keane that their deals will not be renewed.
British-born
Pelter, who grew up in Christchurch, was named in New Zealand's preliminary Olympics squad recently.
The centreback, who joined Sunderland last August, has not made a first team appearance.
Veteran striker Andy Cole, 36, along with defenders Ian Harte, Stanislav Varga and Stephen Wright were among those released by Keane along with three other juniors.
"I have sat down with Andy, Ian, Stephen and Stan and they won't be getting new contracts," said Keane, who was in New Zealand this week observing the All Blacks' preparations for the one-off rugby test against Ireland in Wellington on Saturday.
Meanwhile, All Whites skipper Ryan Nelsen is no closer to knowing whether he will be released for the Olympics by his English Premiership club, Blackburn Rovers.
The situation has been clouded by an announcement yesterday that Blackburn manager Mark Hughes will take over at Manchester City, succeeding former England manager Sven Goran Eriksson.
Nelsen, who captains Blackburn Rovers, said today it was a delicate situation.
It was in the hands of Hughes whether or not he would be released.
"I am kind of a Blackburn asset and he (Hughes) doesn't have to release me - (the Olympics) is not a Fifa sanctioned tournament and he can say no," Nelsen, who is in New Zealand for a short break, told Radio Sport this morning.
Among Hughes' considerations would be his captain being away for a month and missing pre-season training, possibly the opening match of the 2008/09 season and could get injured at the Olympics.
New Zealand, grouped with China, Brazil and Belgium, will play their pool matches between August 7 and 13. The English Premier league kicks off on August 16.
New Zealand Football has until July 4 to confirm its team.
Nelsen said he could only wait for a decision.
" When the boss goes on holiday, you got more chance of contacting the Pope than Mark Hughes at the moment."
- NZPA
