Soccer: Nelsen may play out career at Phoenix

All Whites skipper Ryan Nelsen is not ruling out a stint with the Phoenix once he finishes in the English premiership. Photo / Paul Estcourt

MELBOURNE - Ryan Nelsen sporting Wellington Phoenix colours in the twilight of his soccer career is not beyond the realms of possibility.

The All Whites and Blackburn captain would not rule out a possible swansong at New Zealand's A-League outpost once he tires of the English premiership.

The 32-year-old defender said a stint with the Phoenix under national coach Ricki Herbert was an option providing his body withstood the rigours of another two seasons with Blackburn.

"I've still got two years left at Blackburn but after that, maybe. I'm not sure how much more will be left in the legs after that," said Nelsen on the eve of New Zealand's pre-World Cup warm-up match against Australia at the MCG.

"A lot of Australian players have gone back and done really well," he said nominating current Socceroo squad members Craig Moore and Jason Culina.

Nelsen, who left Christchurch to forge a professional career via the United States college system and America's Major League Soccer (MLS) before joining Blackburn in 2005, has admired the A-League from afar.

"It's great for both countries. It's exciting for the A-League (if players return home)."

He said a "golden generation" of Australian stars including Brett Emerton, Lucas Neill, Vince Grella, Scott Chipperfield, Moore and Mark Schwarzer would likely choose to wind down their careers in the A-League.

"Hopefully some of our players come back as well and this league will improve."

- NZPA