With images of David Beckham and Michael Owen still fresh in his mind after three days with the England camp, it's appropriate that UK-based players will form the backbone of Ricki Herbert's first All Whites squad.
The new national coach has settled on his initial squad of 30 players to
face Australia in London on June 9, the first chance for him to put his mark on the post. But he won't confirm who's on the list until he receives clearance from the players' clubs. This is expected to take up to two weeks.
Already Herbert has signalled his intention to look to the future, considering the All Whites are out of qualification for next year's World Cup. He knows there has to be a smattering of experience.
He has this in the form of skipper Ryan Nelsen, who's been exceptional for Blackburn Rovers in the English Premier League and Ivan Vichelich, who plays in the Dutch premier league plus former Leeds defender Danny Hay.
Along with that trio, Mark Patson (Walsall), David Mulligan (Doncaster), Chris Killen (Oldham), Leo Bertos (Rochdale) and Shane Smeltz (AFC Wimbledon) should figure, as well as Tony Lochhead, Steven Old, Duncan Oughton and Tim Brown (all US) and Brent Fisher (Germany).
The rest of the squad is likely to be made up from those plying their trade in Australia, along with about 10 players who stood out in the national league. That squad will be trimmed to 18 and they'll gather for the first time in London a few days before the game against Australia.
"I'm not going to lose sight of where we want to go, and that's the 2010 World Cup," Herbert said in reference to his desire to rely on young players.
At the moment, the All Whites have only the Australia game on their calendar although New Zealand Soccer chief executive Graham Seatter had hoped to add a few more for later in the year.
However, hopes to play Chile away appear to have faded.
- HERALD ON SUNDAY
