Waitakere United have thrown spurned former Hawke's Bay United captain/assistant coach Bill Robertson a lifeline in the national summer league.
Centre back Robertson is in the equation to play for the former O-League powerhouses against the Hamilton Wanderers in the first, proper opening round of the ISPS Handa Premiership game at Porritt Stadium, Hamilton, in a 2pm kick off on Sunday.
"It happened fairly late, like in the last couple of weeks, actually," said the 33-year-old, although he had been in talks with the franchise for several weeks.
He played in a pre-season match with Waitakere last weekend and trained throughout this week.
England-born Robertson, who has won two premierships as captain/assistant coach with Team Wellington and coached Thirsty Whale Napier City Rovers to the Ultra Football Central League title last winter, was a shock omission from the Bay franchise team.
