Soccer: Lines poised to make Kingz debut

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Frantic overnight telephone calls to Germany will almost certainly have Arran Lines cleared in time to play for the Football Kingz against the Northern Spirit in Sydney tonight.

Player-coach Wynton Rufer, who could miss the game with a recurrence of a hamstring injury, has made "about 50 calls to Germany this week" and is, obviously, keen to have the All Whites midfielder in action.

Dumped 4-2 by the Wollongong Wolves in Christchurch last Saturday, Rufer will be looking for something better from the Kingz against the most disappointing side in the Australian League.

Kingz chairman Chris Turner said it was no secret that Lines had had a "bust up" with his German club and returned to New Zealand.

"A consortium of businessmen have got together and arranged a deal which will see Aaran Lines signed by Christchurch southern league club Halswell," said Turner. "In turn, he will come to the Kingz under a loan arrangement. The group will pay Aaran's air fare, his wages and the [modest] transfer fee. We [the Kingz] will only have to pay his appearance fees and win bonuses."

If Lines is cleared to play he will take the left side overlapping defensive-midfield role and give a real boost to a side who will be without defender Che Bunce, who copped a one-match ban after being sent off last week.

Suggestions that the Chileans in the Kingz squad might be on the outer gained some weight last night when Rufer said it was unlikely Aaron Silva or David Moya would be on this morning's flight. Lee Jones and Stu Riddle - provided his clearance is confirmed - seem set to start for the first time tonight.

In another switch from the team who went down against Wollongong, goalkeeper Michael Utting will play and Jason Batty will stay home.