All Whites stars back for Bahrain

Reuters

MIDDLESBROUGH: Chris Killen's World Cup preparations are in line for a boost if a loan deal between his current club Celtic and Middlesbrough goes through.

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Chris Killen and Chris Wood return as Ricki Herbert stuck largely with the squad who have got New Zealand to the verge of the World Cup when he named his 19 players for the away leg of the final qualifying series against Bahrain.

Herbert quite rightly labelled it his most important squad selection in his four years as All Whites coach with New Zealand facing Bahrain in Manama on October 10.

The match between the Oceania champions and the Arabic island nation that finished fifth in Asian World Cup qualifying is the first leg of a home and away playoff - the return leg is Westpac Stadium in Wellington on November 14 - with the winner progressing to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Herbert has named 13 previous squads since taking the reins in 2005 but says all of those - and the 30 matches played under his tenure - have been stepping stones to the most important game the All Whites have played since last qualifying for the World Cup in 1982.

"This is absolutely the biggest one yet," Herbert said.

"You know we've had opportunities over the last four years to shape the team to where it's got to now. It's an incredibly important couple of fixtures"

Ryan Nelsen will captain the side that is relatively unchanged from the squad that earned a 3-1 victory over Jordan in Amman in September.

Striker Rory Fallon and attacking midfielder Michael McGlinchey retain their places after impressive debuts in that match while Killen and Wood - late withdrawals from that squad through injury - predictably come back into the mix.

In fact, the only change from the squad named for Jordan is the addition of Auckland City custodian Jacob Spoonley as goalkeeping cover for Mark Paston and James Bannatyne.

The squad is notable for its continuity with goalkeeper Glen Moss the only player unavailable for selection due to a four-match World Cup suspension earned in the All Whites' final Oceania group qualifier against Fiji in November 2008.

Moss' unavailability aside, Herbert has finally enjoyed the luxury of a fully fit squad to choose from, something that had so far eluded the All Whites boss.

"I think that's been the biggest frustrations over my time is not been able to have the best side together for a long period of time but the flipside is that some other players have been given opportunities and some have really solidified their position in the team."

"Touch wood that we go into training in Dubai with a full complement of players as that will be important to the outcome in Manama as well."

Nelsen, McGlinchey, Fallon and Spoonley are the only players in the squad who didn't travel to South Africa for the FIFA Confederations Cup in June, with Moss, Kris Bright, Chris James, Steven Old, Duncan Oughton, Jeremy Brockie and Jeremy Christie dropping out in for this smaller squad.

Bahrain enter the fixture match-hardened by an 18-game qualifying campaign but Herbert believes that has also has an upside for New Zealand.

"Bahrain had to put their best foot forward against Saudi Arabia so that information is fresh and current. We've broken down that information and will roll it out to the players.

"We're pretty comfortable. Raul Blanco, Brian Turner and I have done a lot of research and as soon as we hit that first training session in Dubai we'll be rolling out what we think is going to be important for the first game."

Herbert and the Wellington Phoenix's All Whites contingent depart for Bahrain from Australia after Friday's round 9 clash against Shane Smeltz's high flying Gold Coast United, while remaining New Zealand based players and staff depart from Auckland on Monday.

The All Whites assemble in Dubai, where they will be based until October 9 in preparation for the match in Manama on October 10.

New Zealand Squad for FIFA World Cup Asia/Oceania Playoff (first leg)
October 10, Manama

Goalkeepers:
James BANNATYNE (Team Wellington - 5/0)
Mark PASTON (Wellington Phoenix - 21/0)
Jacob SPOONLEY (Auckland City - 1/0)

Defenders:
Andrew BOYENS (New York Red Bulls - 14/0)
Tony LOCHHEAD (Wellington Phoenix - 19/0)
David MULLIGAN (Wellington Phoenix - 30/3)
Ryan NELSEN (Captain, Blackburn Rovers - 39/9)
Aaron SCOTT (Waitakere United - 5/0)
Ben SIGMUND (Wellington Phoenix - 10/1)
Ivan VICELICH (Auckland City - 70/7)

Midfielders:
Andy BARRON (Team Wellington - 12/1)
Leo BERTOS (Wellington Phoenix - 28/0)
Tim BROWN (Wellington Phoenix - 25/0)
Simon ELLIOTT (San Jose Earthquakes - 65/8)
Michael MCGLINCHEY (Central Coast Mariners - 1/0)

Forwards:
Rory FALLON (Plymouth Argyle - 1/1)
Chris KILLEN (Celtic - 24/17)
Shane SMELTZ (Gold Coast United - 29/17)
Chris WOOD (West Bromwich Albion - 3/0)

Management: Ricki Herbert (Coach), Brian Turner (Assistant Coach), Clint Gosling (Goalkeeper Coach), Raul Blanco (Technical Advisor), Phil Warbrick (Manager), Roland Jeffery (Physiotherapist), Wade Irvine (Massage Therapist), Celeste Geertsema (Doctor), Kenny McMillan (Sports Scientist), Jamie Scott (Media Officer).

2010 FIFA World Cup Asia/Oceania Playoff

First Leg
Bahrain v New Zealand
October 10, kick-off 6.30pm (4.30am Oct 11 NZT)
National Stadium, Manama
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)

Second Leg
New Zealand v Bahrain
8pm, November 14
Westpac Stadium, Wellington