NZFC final (almost) last chance to nail World Cup slot

Ricki Herbert's World Cup build-up is about to hit top gear.

The All Whites coach will be at Fred Taylor Park this afternoon to cast an eye over the Waitakere United and Canterbury United players as he counts down to D-Day when he will name the 23 players he and assistant coach Brian Turner will take to South Africa.

"The door is never closed until it's closed," said Herbert.

"I was always planning to be at the NZFC final as there are players I want to have another look at.

"I'm keen to see Aaron Clapham in action again before he joins the other New Zealand and Australian-based All Whites in next week's camp.

"There are others who have a chance to show me something including Aaron Scott and Allan Pearce, who have already been involved at some stage of the campaign.

"It will also be interesting to have another look at Russell Kamo who, according to reports I've been getting, is playing very well."

The New Zealand-based players who spent time with Vaughan Coveny at South Melbourne have returned and will be joined by the Australian-based players in Auckland on Wednesday at the start of the camp, which is to be held over 12 days based at North Harbour Stadium.

During that time Herbert and those players will watch the second leg of the O-League final between Waitakere and PNG's Hekari United, also at Fred Taylor Park on May 9, in the final game of the domestic season.

"There will be a debrief after the camp at which stage, probably on May 10 or 11, I will name the All White squad," said Herbert, who added he might name up to seven standby players.

"The World Cup group, including the United States and European-based players, will assemble in New Zealand by May 19 and train for a couple of days before we head to Melbourne for the game against the Socceroos."

While overseas-based Ryan Nelsen, Chris Wood, Rory Fallon, Chris Killen, Michael McGlinchey, Tommy Smith, Winston Reid, Simon Elliott and Andy Boyens are seen as World Cup certainties, Herbert is not discounting others, including Kris Bright, as he mulls over his final selection.