Soccer: Bolters likely for Mexico game

Craig Henderson. Photo / Getty Images

Tommy Smith and Craig Henderson look set to be named in the All Whites side to meet Mexico in Los Angeles early next month.

Coach Ricki Herbert will this week announce his 18-man squad to take on the 17th-ranked Mexicans, possibly as early as tomorrow, with Smith and Henderson the most notable inclusions.

Plymouth striker Rory Fallon, who has twice announced his preference to miss the match because of his club's relegation battle in the English Championship (second tier), will be called up.

The match is the only one scheduled for the All Whites before going into camp for the World Cup at the end of May that falls in a Fifa window. This means clubs must release players and Herbert is determined to use it.

He is trying to organise a camp in March or April but that will be for those in Australia, New Zealand and the US who aren't playing competitively.

The majority of the 18 players who helped New Zealand beat Bahrain in a two-legged playoff to earn a place at the World Cup will be called on to face Mexico but Herbert might also want to look at Smith and Henderson.

Waitakere United right back Aaron Scott and utility David Mulligan, who hasn't played a game for the Phoenix this season, look likely to miss out.

Smith, a left-sided central defender who can also cover left back, recently committed to New Zealand.

The 19-year-old was born in Macclesfield and has played youth internationals for England including 2007's Under-17 World Cup but qualifies for New Zealand on residency grounds.

He spent much of his childhood here, attending Westlake Boys' High School, and was also part of the national age-group set-up.

Smith plays for Championship outfit Ipswich Town, managed by Roy Keane, but is currently on loan to English League One side Brentford.

Henderson last month joined Mjallby on a three-year contract to play in the Swedish Allsvenskan (premier division) after a successful US college career with Dartmouth.

The 22-year-old was a unanimous choice for Ivy Player of the Year in 2008 and also earned All-America selection.

Henderson's selection is more out of left field but Herbert needs to have a look at someone playing in Sweden's top league, rated the 23rd best in Europe by Uefa, and he also impressed at last year's Olympics.

He can play central midfield but is more likely to play wider out with the All Whites because of the lack of depth there.

The only other change from the squad which faced Bahrain will be at goalkeeper.

Mark Paston, who became a national hero after his penalty save against Bahrain, won't have recovered from a broken leg in time to play Mexico.

Glen Moss, who missed the Bahrain game because of suspension and will also be unavailable for New Zealand's first two World Cup games, is the logical replacement.


Likely All Whites squad:

Moss (Melbourne), Bannatyne (Team Wellington), Spoonley (Auckland City), Boyens (New York), Lochhead (Wellington Phoenix), Nelsen (Blackburn), Sigmund (Wellington Phoenix), Smith (Brentford), Vicelich (Auckland City), Barron (Team Wellington), Bertos (Phoenix), Brown (Phoenix), Elliott (San Jose), Fallon (Plymouth), McGlinchey (Motherwell), Killen (Middlesbrough), Smeltz (Gold Coast), Wood (West Bromwich).