By TERRY MADDAFORD
Football Kingz bosses are stunned by suggestions that Wynton Rufer has played his last game and will not see out his contract this season.
His brother Shane, the Kingz assistant coach, said yesterday: "I think it's just a story."
Speaking on the team's return from Sydney, where the Kingz snatched
a dramatic 2-2 draw with Parramatta, chief executive Chris Turner said neither he nor Kingz chairman Paul Smart had heard from Rufer.
"I can only repeat what has already been said. Wynton Rufer has been sidelined with a calf injury," Turner said.
"My understanding is that he will be ready to start light training on Monday.
"If he was going to retire I feel he would ring us.
"He is no different than any other player.
"If he is not having medical or physiotherapy treatment he has to be at training. He is under contract and as far as I'm concerned, he will be at training."
It was reported at the weekend that Wynton Rufer had said his playing days had come to an end because of an impasse between him and Kingz coach Kevin Fallon.
The reports said Rufer would not comment on the deadlock, but it stemmed from the striker's training schedule.
Apparently, Rufer wanted to train with the team three days a week and have two individual sessions with the club's trainer - an agreement he had with previous coach Mike Petersen.
Fallon wanted Rufer there fulltime. "I can't coach a ghost," he was reported as saying.
Whatever happens, Rufer's decision will have no effect on negotiations between the club and new striker Campbell Banks.
Banks has made a significant impact since joining the club, and his late equaliser for the Kingz on Saturday night gave the club a precious point in their fight to get out of the National Soccer League cellar.
Turner said he would make a formal offer to Banks today.
The club had already agreed on a transfer fee with Central United.
Asked whether he thought Rufer still had something to offer, Turner said he had no doubt that "a fit, motivated and focused Wynton Rufer" could still "do a job in this league."
Wynton Rufer, celebrating his 15th wedding anniversary with wife Lisa at the weekend, was unavailable for comment, but his older brother said he thought the Oceania player of the century would like to continue.
"We will have to see how it pans out," Shane Rufer said.
"He had a contract with Mike Petersen which allowed him to train to a different schedule. Lately, he has not been able to train at all."
Asked whether he would continue if his brother quit, Shane Rufer said: "What's the use of speculating? Our next concern is our next match, against Newcastle.
"It is clear that it has been a difficult time.
"Three coaches in a month is hard for the players. But that's part of life."
Fallon has tried to keep the Rufer issue at arm's length, but did say that "the lad has to come to training. If he is fit, he should be playing in Monday's practice match."
Fallon said Rufer had been at only one training session of the 25 since he took over from Shane Rufer, who had stepped in when Petersen left.
By TERRY MADDAFORD
Football Kingz bosses are stunned by suggestions that Wynton Rufer has played his last game and will not see out his contract this season.
His brother Shane, the Kingz assistant coach, said yesterday: "I think it's just a story."
Speaking on the team's return from Sydney, where the Kingz snatched
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