Soccer: Herbert adamant Fallon will play

Rory Fallon wants to help Plymouth Argyle avoid relegation. Photo / Getty Images

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert is sticking to his hard-nosed stance over the availability of Plymouth Argyle striker Rory Fallon.

He has named Fallon in his provisional squad for next month's international friendly against Mexico in Los Angeles.

Fallon has indicated he would like to miss the game in order to help Argyle in their fight against relegation from English football's Championship league.

Herbert says he has made it clear to Plymouth that he wants Fallon for the match.

"We'll call all the players we feel we need for a game of that stature ... Rory will be part of that," said Herbert.

"They're just in the midst of a difficult season. They're trying to avoid relegation. But at the end of it, we've got a national team that's going to be proudly representing itself in a world cup. And this is the only time that we get to get the full strength side together before that event."

Herbert says in the end Fallon has no choice.

"We have access to the players and I think that's just a process that we'll be calling on."

Herbert and the All Whites are finalists for the coach and team of the year awards at the Halberg Awards in Auckland tonight.

- NEWSTALK ZB