Soccer: Rojas to sit out match because of virus

Marco Rojas. Photo / Getty Images

Midfielder Marco Rojas will miss the All Whites' football match against a Waitakere United invitational 11 in Auckland tonight because of illness.

Coach Ricki Herbert said Rojas was suffering from a virus.

"We'll look after him and hopefully he's alright to play against Mexico," Herbert said.

The hit-out against the invitational side is part of a five-day camp for Australia and New Zealand-based All Whites ahead of New Zealand's friendlies against Mexico in Denver on June 2 (NZT) and Australia in Adelaide three days later.

Melbourne Victory-bound Rojas, 19, gained his debut cap in the All Whites' last international in March, coming on late in the 1-1 draw against China at Wuhan.

His call-up had come after impressive performances in the A-League for the Wellington Phoenix.

Meanwhile, Herbert has picked New Zealand under-20 player Cameron Lindsay to fill in for his starting side tonight after the withdrawal of defender Tony Lochhead from the June internationals because of recurring groin injury.

Lindsay, 18, has been part of the academy squad at English Premier League club Blackburn Rovers.

All Whites to play a Waitakere United invitational 11: Glen Moss, Ivan Vicelich, Ben Sigmund, Cameron Lindsay, Jeremy Brockie, David Mulligan, Tim Brown, Aaron Clapham, Michael McGlinchey, Shane Smeltz, Kosta Barbarouses.

- NZPA