Soccer: Mixed news for Kingz on return to action

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The two-and-a-half-week break brought bad and good news for the Football Kingz who return to the national soccer league with tonight's game against Perth Glory at North Harbour Stadium.

The good news is that the Auckland-based franchise has not lost their eighth place on the points table; the bad is having players under injury clouds and others feeling the effects of a hectic travel and playing schedule with the national side.

There was a "sick parade" look about the team as they reported for training at North Harbour Stadium yesterday with coaches Wynton and Shane Rufer casting their collective eyes over some battle-weary players.

Midfielder Chris Jackson does not have the broken toe first feared when he limped out of Sunday's international in Palmerston North but he is still hindered by the injury.

Goalkeeper Jason Batty is definitely out after injuring his thigh in the first of the two matches against South Korea.

However that loss might be compensated for with the return of Michael Utting, who has trained well this week after being sidelined for a month with a shoulder injury.

"We will not be naming a starting Xl until just before kick-off," said Wynton Rufer yesterday.

"There are a number of players we need to look at again although it does seem Che Bunce got through the second game against Koreans and should be okay. There is still some doubt over Fred de Jong, who has a knee injury."

Aaran Lines has not recovered from a similar injury and might still be some weeks away from a return to action.

"The players who have not been involved with the All Whites have trained very well throughout the break," said Rufer.

"It is important that we have not lost our place on the points table while missing two rounds but we have to go out against Perth and chase three points to make sure we don't fall back."

Off field there have been some concerns from the player's union boss Brendan Schwab over some player payment issues.

While the players were paid their salaries last Saturday, Schwab is concerned that match payments - win/draw bonuses and superannuation - have not been made.

Kingz chairman Chris Turner confirmed the players had been paid but admitted there were still some issues to be resolved. He was adamant, however, the club was not in default.

"The bonuses are paid once a month and will be met by the end of January," said Turner.

"We have to clarify a couple of issues including payments to injured players and superannuation. That's all."

Of suggestions the club was about to be taken over by the Sky Television Network or Tainui, Turner said three "different organisations" had approached the Kingz with a view of "taking equity in the company" but he would not be drawn in any way on who might be prepared to back the fledgling club.

Tonight's game against Perth - one of the most successful clubs in the ASL - kicks-off at 7.30.