Danish defender Winston Reid has returned to the New Zealand fold, allowing coach Ricki Herbert some exciting possibilities.
The unexpected availability of Winston Reid has opened up equally unexpected opportunities for the All Whites at the World Cup.
Reid declared his allegiance to New Zealand on Friday after earlier indicating he was keen to play for his adopted country Denmark.
The 21-year-old defender was born in Auckland but moved to Denmark when he was 10.
He received Danish citizenship in 2006, which prompted his selection in Denmark's under-19 side, and he has been earmarked for a long and successful career with the full national side.
Various reports suggested he was even on the verge of Denmark's World Cup squad.
This month he told Danish football magazine Tipsbladet he was committed to Denmark.
"If they call me from New Zealand, I will naturally talk with them, but I would have to tell them that I will play in Denmark," Reid said. "I feel that it is in my best interest to continue to play for the Danish national [under-21] team."
Denmark is to host next year's European under-21 championships, for which Reid would still be eligible. He played for the Danish under-21s on the same day last week that the All Whites lost 2-0 to Mexico.
But he has since told All Whites coach Ricki Herbert he is now keen to play for New Zealand at the World Cup and can expect to walk into the 23-man squad.
Reid was quoted in Danish newspaper BT as saying: "I have not made this decision to play in the World Cup finals but followed my heart and it just feels absolutely right now that I've made the choice.
"I have been happy in the Danish age-group set-up but I have lived in New Zealand until I was 10 or 11, almost my entire family lives there and I go home every year, so it feels just right."
He is most commonly known as a right-sided central defender but can also slot in at right-back, which is the All Whites' biggest weakness.
It means Herbert can entertain ideas of playing either a 4-4-2 at the World Cup or even the 4-3-3 he uses at the Phoenix instead of the 5-3-2 (which is sometimes dressed as a 3-5-2) he might have been expected to play in South Africa.
This would give the side greater balance and defensive cover and negate the need to develop an adequate right wing-back. Leo Bertos performed this role in both legs against Bahrain but he is more effective further up the park where he can run at defenders and whip in crosses.
There would be an element of risk selecting a player whom no one has yet seen play but Reid's credentials should be enough to earn him a spot in the World Cup squad.
He plays for FC Midtjylland in the Danish SAS Ligaen, or premier league, and last season was rated its fourth-best player. He has also been linked in the past with Italian Serie A sides Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Palermo. Players of that ability don't come along that often in New Zealand.
New Zealand Football's recruitment drive since Fifa's rule change on eligibility has certainly paid dividends. The world governing body last year changed the rules to allow individuals who had previously played youth football for one country to switch to another even after their 21st birthday.
Michael McGlinchey (Scotland youth) and Rory Fallon (England youth) committed to New Zealand before the World Cup playoff with Bahrain, while Tommy Smith and Reid have found a World Cup too difficult to turn down.
Reid would presumably shatter the World Cup dreams of either David Mulligan or Aaron Scott. Both were virtually guaranteed places in the 23-man World Cup squad after New Zealand's famous win over Bahrain even though neither figured in the playoffs. But Mulligan hasn't played an A-League game this season and Scott has been in indifferent form for Waitakere in the NZFC.
Reid is more comfortable at centre back but Herbert has a number of alternatives there. What Herbert needs is a right back and the same football gods who have helped New Zealand football enjoy 12 months of unprecedented success still seem to be in a good mood.
The All Whites boss may not opt for a back four. That's his prerogative. At least now he has the option with Winston Reid.
