Soccer: Football Ferns pros back for China test

Six German Bundesliga players, led by New Zealand skipper Rebecca Smith, have made the trek home for the matches in Mangere and Albany. Photo / Doug Sherring.

The growing contingent of overseas based professional Football Ferns will all be at coach Tony Readings' disposal when they take on China in two Auckland-based tests matches on Sunday and Wednesday respectively.

Six German Bundesliga players, led by New Zealand skipper Rebecca Smith, have made the trek home for the matches in Mangere and Albany - the last at home for the Ferns before the London Olympics.

Swedish based Ali Riley and Kirsty Yallop are also among the 11 overseas based players joining the squad for the China tests but will miss two matches against Australia the following week, returning instead to club duty.

With a deadline for naming his Olympic squad looming, Readings has also found room to include uncapped Rebekah Stott and recall Emma Kete who missed the Olympic qualifying win over Papua New Guinea. Striker Rosie White is still sidelined with injury.

Tauranga-born Stott recently made her age group debut for the New Zealand U-20s on a tour to the USA after previously representing Australia at age group level.

Readings said the tests against a nation New Zealand had not earned a result against in 12 full internationals were a great yardstick for the Ferns' Olympic preparations.

"With our playing stocks increasingly based overseas, any time together as a full group is incredibly valuable," said Readings.

"The China games will be a huge benchmark for us a month out from the Olympics but the squad are hungry to push their claims for a place on the plane to London and home support could be crucial for us."