Soccer: Fallon in club-versus-country row

All Whites striker Rory Fallon is reluctant to play for New Zealand in Los Angeles while his club is struggling. Photo / Getty Images

Former All Whites captain and English professional Danny Hay has leapt to striker Rory Fallon's defence over a simmering club versus country row leading up to the World Cup in South Africa.

And Hay has urged New Zealand Football to tread carefully in sorting out any dispute over Fallon playing in the All Whites' vital warm-up match against Mexico on March 3.

Fallon, who plays for Plymouth Argyle, told his local newspaper he was prepared to miss the game in Los Angeles so he could help the struggling English championship club - comments that have already led to angry fan reaction on the internet about Fallon's commitment to the All Whites, although he has also received support.

The All Whites have automatic rights to Fallon, as the Los Angeles game is during Fifa's week-long international window.

New Zealand Football's chief executive Michael Glading told the Herald that All Whites coach Ricki Herbert was - at this point - determined to have Fallon play in Los Angeles.

Glading emphasised that NZF favoured negotiation, but it is unlikely that New Zealand will waive their rights to Fallon for the "friendly"international.

New Zealand players were disadvantaged, as they had to travel further for the mid-week internationals compared with many other players.

Glading said: "Sometimes you find championship clubs are not as aware of Fifa regulations as premier league clubs.

"If necessary we will enforce our rights, and it would be lose-lose for Plymouth because he would have to stand down for two of their games if he didn't play for us. This is a difficult situation for Rory and we would rather sort this out through discussions rather than wave a big stick."

Fallon was quoted as saying: "I have told the gaffer [Plymouth manager Paul Mariner] it's up to him. Plymouth is my number one.

"I told him I wouldn't be upset if he didn't let me go because I know he wants me 100 per cent for the games around that time.

"The problem with friendlies is that you can pick up injuries and I'm not really a friendly type of player."

Fallon, who was New Zealand born and raised, played for an English youth side and re-qualified for New Zealand under Fifa's regulations. He has scored just three goals in 18 matches for Plymouth this season.

Hay, who played for Leeds, said: "You can see both sides of the story, and I remember being in those circumstances myself. I wouldn't put any blame on him.

"Careers are short and I would imagine he is under pressure from the club, who provide his bread and butter. If you are away too much it can affect whether you get another contract.

"I have spoken to Rory and you couldn't meet a prouder Kiwi. He is a genuinely nice kid. The public has a right to their opinions but if you half knew him, you would know his heart is in the right place and he showed that during the qualifiers.

"You don't want to go hard line on him to the point he doesn't want to play for New Zealand. It's important to work this out with his club, to get a resolution good for Rory. If we go in hard nosed, it might not be best."

Striker Chris Killen wants more game time ahead of the World Cup after signing with English championship club Middlesbrough.

The 28-year-old has left Scottish club Celtic on a free transfer.