US-based striker Jarrod Smith and Canterbury United midfielder Andy Barron have been handed late call-ups for the All Whites four-match European tour.
The pair have been given their chance following the withdrawal of Fulham midfielder Simon Elliott (through injury) and US-based defender Tony Lochhead, who has not been released by the New England Revolution.
"I feel sorry for Tony, who misses a once-in-a-lifetime chance to play the best team in the world," said annoyed coach Ricki Herbert, who had agreed that Lochhead could miss the first two games but play against Estonia and Brazil, thereby missing only one MLS game. Earlier in the year he allowed Lochhead to bypass the two matches against Malaysia to stay with his club.
Barron, injured in the NZFC final, passed a fitness test yesterday and will join the New Zealand-based players on tomorrow's flight to Budapest.
Soccer: Two late calls to join All Whites
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