Wilkinson in team to play Australia

All eyes will be on Whangarei teenager Hannah Wilkinson tomorrow  as she lines up for the New Zealand Football Ferns in their two-match series against Australia, followed by the Cyprus Cup a week later.
The 17-year-old made her international debut at last month's Oceania Qualifying Tournament with the Junior Under-20 Football Ferns, and scored five goals in three games including a hat-trick in her first game against American Samoa.
New Zealand coach John Herdman saw enough in the North Force striker to include her for the Football Ferns matches against the Matildas tomorrow at North Harbour Stadium, and on Saturday at Bill McKinley Park.
"Hannah's been given an opportunity through her performances within the Under-20 environment, and in friendlies against the senior side she's shown she can score goals against some pretty seasoned defenders.
"We've given her a shot and she's excited not just the coaching staff but also her peers," Herdman said.
Wilkinson's under-20 striker partner Rosie White reclaims her place in the senior ranks, while Wilkinson will team up with fellow Northlander Abby Erceg for advice and support.
 A total of 19 players have been named, but just 18 will be used for each of the Australia series and the Cyprus Cup, kicking off on February 24.
German-based professional Rebecca Smith will play in Cyprus, but is unavailable for the transtasman series, so age-group defender Bridgette Armstrong, who is not in the travelling party to Europe, will get a chance  to add to her single senior cap.
Ali Riley, who recently became the first New Zealander to break through into the ranks of USA's Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) as a first-round draft pick by FC Gold Pride, will miss the first fixture against Australia but is available for the second match, and the entire Cyprus campaign.
Herdman said his team were determined to put on a strong display in their first home internationals in three years, but repeating last year's top-four finish at the Cyprus Cup is an even stronger focus.
"Of course, we want to win the Australia games but the Cyprus Cup tournament is what we've built a lot of our preparation around. Part of the way we use the games here will be to work out our starting 11 for Cyprus."
 In Cyprus, New Zealand face Italy on the opening day and the Netherlands two days later. On March 1, they  meet Scotland completing pool play before the March 4 (NZT) playoffs.
Football Ferns squad for Australia Series and Cyprus Cup: Jenny Bindon, Aroon Clansey, Bridgette Armstrong, Anna Green, Abby Erceg, Kristy Hill, Ria Percival, Ali Riley, Rebecca Smith (VfL Wolfsburg, Germany), Betsy Hassett (UC Berkeley, USA), Katie Hoyle, Annalie Longo, Hayley Moorwood (c), Hannah Wall, Kirsty Yallop, Amber Hearn, Emma Kete (Ottawa Fury, Canada), Rosie White, Hannah Wilkinson.