Soccer: Herbert battles on gamefully

Despite setbacks such as player unavailability and some heavy defeats, All Whites coach Ricki Herbert says he can look forward to their soccer World Cup campaign from next year with confidence.

He conceded that from tomorrow's starting 11 against Uefa Cup champions FC Sevilla, barely two would be in his thinking for a World Cup 11 had all the players been available to him.

Striker Chris Killen was the latest unavailability yesterday after he suffered a shin injury in Hibernian's goalless Scottish premier league draw at Inverness on Sunday.

The 24-year-old was to have joined Bodens BK (Sweden) striker Brent Fisher as New Zealand's re-enforcement party in the Spanish city of Seville following the All Whites' 5-0 loss at Blackburn Rovers on Sunday.

Fisher was named in the team last night although he was to join the side about 24 hours before the game where Herbert feared they would face difficulties similar to Sunday's.

But he said using an under-strength New Zealand side not only provided him with the opportunity to look for players who could step up next year but to start their World Cup campaign with confidence next year.

Killen is the 16th front-liner ruled out of the three-match tour that ends on Wednesday. Others include A-league players Leo Bertos, Adrian Webster, Jeremy Christie (Perth Glory), Noah Hickey, Che Bunce (NZ Knights), Vaughan Coveny (Newcastle Jets) and Jeremy Brockie (Sydney FC).

"When you have got 16-17 players not here, there is pressure on the guys playing to perform," Herbert said.

Asked if he feared another embarrassing loss, Herbert said:

"That's on the cards, isn't it?

"What I can't take away is that this is not our best side. These guys are going to find it really difficult on the night. Everybody needs to accept that -- what these guys are facing and what they faced against Blackburns ... what I'm looking for is the players (to build for the World Cup).

"We feel comfortable with some (players) at the moment, there is a question mark with some of them and I suggest that some are not going to move forward with this."

Herbert said it would have been easier to sit at home and wait for all the players to be available before they took on tough assignments.

"I would suggest that 2006, irrespective of (tomorrow's outcome), has been great for us. We've managed to achieve something that no other national team ever managed to achieve (a win in Europe), yet we never had the best team on the park."

Tony Lochhead is back in defence, alongside James Pritchett, captain Danny Hay and Steven Old, after being forced out of Sunday's match with illness.

"There will be some expectations on what he can do. I think he will slip straight in," Herbert said of Lochhead.

Jarrod Smith and Brent Fisher will form the strike force, with James Bannatyne in goal.

"We're going to move Chris James to a more central role and play him behind Jarrod Smith and Brent Fisher," Herbert said.

All Whites: James Bannatyne, James Pritchett, Steven Old, Danny Hay (captain), Tony Lochhead, Tim Brown, Andy Barron, Chris James, Brent Fisher, Jarrod Smith, Jeff Fleming, Reserves: Mark Paston, Andy Boyens, Raf de Gregorio, Michael Wilson, Paul Urlovic, Campbell Banks,

- NZPA