All Whites keeper OK for qualifier

Goalkeeper Mark Paston is expected to be available for New Zealand's World Cup soccer qualifier against Bahrain here on November 14.

Paston was placed in the doubtful category after a hip injury forced him from the field early in Wellington Phoenix's 1-3 A-League loss to Sydney FC in Sydney last night.

He limped from the field after colliding with Phoenix defender Ben Sigmund in just the eighth minute.

A Phoenix spokesman today said Paston had been examined by a doctor in Sydney and a club medical assistant.

There was no reason to believe the goalkeeper would be forced to miss the qualifier in Wellington.

He said Paston suffered only bruising and while he was unlikely to play in the club's next game, against Newcastle in Wellington on Wednesday, there was nothing to suggest he would miss the home match against Perth on Sunday.

Paston was a standout performer when New Zealand drew 0-0 with Bahrain in the first leg of the World Cup playoff in Manama on October 11.

- NZPA