Football Ferns defender Ali Riley bouncing back

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The New Zealand women's football team have been delivered the news they were looking for three days out from their Olympic Games opener against Great Britain, with star fullback Ali Riley expected to play in Thursday's (NZT) match at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff.

Riley suffered an ankle injury in the warm-up loss to Canada in Switzerland last week, sidelining her from the subsequent win over Colombia and the early part of their preparation in Cardiff.

Regarded by many as the Football Ferns' best player, Riley is an important cog with her ability to get up and down the left flank and create opportunities.

The Ferns-Great Britain match is the first act of the Olympics, two days out from the opening ceremony.
There was also good news for the men's Oly Whites, who are based in Coventry ahead of their Games opener against Belarus at the City of Coventry Stadium on Friday (NZT).

Goalkeeper Jake Gleeson is making a graduated return to training after sustaining a groin injury in the warm-up loss to South Korea in Seoul last week, and was also expected to be available for their opener. Scott Basalaj had arrived in Coventry and was on-standby should Gleeson be ruled out.

Adam McGeorge (hamstring) and Tim Myers (virus) have returned to full training after players missed two of the three warm-up matches the Kiwis have played.

- © Fairfax NZ News