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New Zealand soccer coach Ricki Herbert is hopeful he will have expatriates Ryan Nelsen and Chris Killen back from Europe for the World Cup qualifier against Vanuatu in Port Vila on November 17.
The fixture which doubles as an Oceania Cup match, was given the green light yesterday after it was postponed due to concerns over the condition of the Port Vila pitch.
The All Whites' World Cup matches fall within Fifa's official international window and clubs are required to release all fit players.
Herbert told the Press he had heard nothing from Nelsen or his English Premiership club, Blackburn Rovers, to indicate the centreback would be unavailable.
Nelsen has not played for the All Whites since 2004 and has been battling a hamstring niggle for some months.
But he has completed two 90-minute performances against Portsmouth in the League Cup and Liverpool in the premiership.
Nelsen, who had a good game against Liverpool, had stepped straight back in as Blackburn captain, Herbert said.
Meanwhile striker Killen got 30 minutes of Champions League action yesterday in Scottish club Celtic's 1-0 home win over Portugal's Benfica.
- NZPA
