Soccer: Nelsen raring to go as All Whites step up

Ryan Nelsen. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Ryan Nelsen is fit and raring to go.

Fully recovered from the back injury that forced him out of last weekend's embarrassing 6-2 English Premier League loss to Arsenal, the inspirational All Whites captain will lead his troops into battle in Sunday's World Cup qualifier against Bahrain in Manama.

Nelsen's availability, after treatment from the medical staff and a "steady as she goes" approach to training in the last couple of days, ensures coach Ricki Herbert will have a full squad from which to name his starting XI for the first leg of the Asia/Oceania play-offs.

All Whites midfielder Leo Bertos echoed his teammates' feelings in welcoming the news that Nelsen will play.

"It is massive to have Ryan ready," said Bertos. "We need him. His experience, ability and leadership are vital. He is pretty much the core of the team.

"Even if he had not been cleared fit to play, I'm sure he would have found some way to ... get through the game. His presence will lift everyone."

Bertos, certain to start in a wide midfield role, said the All Whites had got over the difficult first couple of days in acclimatising to the heat and humidity at their base near Dubai and now saw the two-sessions-a-day training regime as "perfect preparation".

"It has taken until today to get used to the conditions and get up to speed," Bertos said last night. "Now, after four pretty intensive sessions, we have got used to it."

The players have looked sharp and there is a real buzz in the squad as game day approaches.

"The boys are excited to be together again. This is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, games of our careers. This is our chance to get to the World Cup and we really believe we can do it."

Asked what he knew about the Bahrainis, Bertos said the players had seen videos of their last game against Saudi Arabia and two against Australia.

"They look very good and at home in front of 30, 40 or 50,000 fans it will be pretty intimidating. But, putting all that aside, we really believe we are good enough to beat these guys."

It also appears Aaron Scott's injury concerns have abated and that he, like the rest of the squad, will be considered when Herbert, Brian Turner and Raul Blanco make the call on selection.

Meanwhile, momentum continues to build in Bahrain's capital with the news that the chairman of the champion Kuwait club side Al Qadsia has, at his own expense, decided to send a band of supporters to support Bahrain.

They will be among a huge group of Kuwaiti fans expected to flock to the National Stadium to support their Gulf neighbours.

There will be a special area at the stadium in Riffa for women supporters who attend the World Cup qualifier.