Kiwis try for Knighthoods

John Adshead will look closely at current and former All Whites, such as Waitakere United's Gerard Davis.

The promise of a truly international look to the New Zealand Knights when they kick off their campaign in the new-look Australian league is already attracting widespread interest.

But new boss John Adshead, keen to cast the net as far and as wide as possible, said New Zealand players would be given first crack.

"I have been encouraged and delighted by the response from players and coaches in the New Zealand Football Championship and elsewhere," he said.

Adshead has seen about eight matches since returning from Oman last month, and has been talking to the coaches.

"I have been very respectful of their honesty. They work with the players almost on a daily basis and have been very frank in their evaluations when I have asked if they think their players could step up.

"I have asked [assistant coach] Tommy Mason to come up with names and I have talked to other people."

Adshead will, no doubt, look closely at current and former All Whites, including Gerard Davis, who made an encouraging return from injury in Waitakere United's 4-0 win over Napier City last Sunday.

The selection process will hit full gear next month with Adshead proposing a series of trials, including a number of matches between March 7-20.

"Initially we will be looking at New Zealand-based players, although one or two overseas-based players could be involved," he said.

"Beyond that I have been contacted by seven lads from Africa, a couple from England, a few from Australia and a Dutch lad who is playing in the professional league in Vietnam.

"I don't want mercenaries. I certainly don't want to get into the situation where I'm looking for 14 new players every year."

Adshead said he hoped he would have "a reasonably long shortlist" of prospective players by the end of March.

"We want to have a good hard look here first but we can't be arrogant in assuming all players we might be interested in will be available," he said.

"In our discussions with coaches we have asked the hard questions. Things like whether a player from, say Otago, could stand up and be counted if he had good players around him."

Adshead said he is dreading working within the criteria of having a 20-man squad.

"It means, as an example, we can have only two goalkeepers. We have already signed Danny Milosevic. Who will be the other goalkeeper? I have no idea, but there has been interest from one in Japan, Glen Moss in Australia and maybe a couple more."

Other confirmed signings are Danny Hay, Noah Hickey and Darren Bazeley.

While encouraged by some of what he has seen in his time here, Adshead said: "For the last few years I have been working with some very good players and when I came back, maybe, in comparison, it was all a bit gentle.

"But, as an example, I enjoyed the game between Canterbury and Waikato. I thought Jeremy Brockie, despite just getting back from the Solomons, was young and enthusiastic."

Adshead was also encouraged by his discussions with New Zealand Soccer.

"From where it was when I left, it has gone forward immeasurably. There are now a lot of full-time coaches, they have a very good talent identification programme, the development set-up is great. The sport is 10 times more professional now.

"If we can establish the New Zealand Knights as a quality, professional outfit over the next two years we will have a sound base. I'm confident in the next three to five years you will see come very good players."

But Adshead was not getting too carried away, especially given past results with the Football Kingz.

"The future looks fantastic," he said. "All we have to do is win matches but, as any coach will tell you, that's not easy."

* Adshead will be in Mt Maunganui for today's NZFC clash between third-placed Waikato FC and YoungHeart Manawatu after being in Christchurch for last Monday's game between Canterbury and Waikato.

Next week it is Wellington on Friday night and then the big one between Auckland City and Waitakere United at Kiwitea St, Sandringham, on Saturday.

Waikato FC can assure themselves of a top-three finish with a victory today.

Also today, Auckland City are playing at home against Team Wellington at Kiwitea St. Victory for the home side will go a long way to securing top spot for next month's play-offs.

In two South Island matches tomorrow, Otago are playing Napier, and Canterbury meet Waitakere at English Park.

KNIGHTS TALE

* March 7-20 trials

* NZ players to get "fair crack"

* Player limit causing headaches

* Four players already signed