Soccer: Coach wants Hay back for World Cup

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Adopting a what-is-past-is-past attitude, All Whites coach Ken Dugdale heads to Europe next week keen to lure Leeds United defender Danny Hay back into the international fold.

Hay has made himself unavailable for recent All Whites' campaigns but Dugdale is hoping the former international will be return for key matches in 2001.

"I hope we haven't got any problems," said Dugdale.

"We have to get on with life. I have been in e-mail contact with Danny and I hope we can go on from there."

Hay did not play in last year's Confederations Cup in Mexico or this year's Oceania Nations Cup in Tahiti, but Dugdale hopes he will be available for the Indian tournament in January and the World Cup qualifiers in June.

"Danny has always been part of anything we have planned but he has not always made himself available," said Dugdale, who will see Hay in action at Leeds as part of an extended British visit.

After attending a symposium in Frankfurt en route to England, Dugdale intends watching a number of players, including Hay, who last weekend played more than half a game for Leeds in their premier league win over Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Rd.

It was Hay's first league outing and he follows Lee Norfolk, who played for Ipswich Town five years ago, as the second New Zealander to play at that level.

Dugdale will also catch up with David Rayner at Newcastle, Chris Killen at Wrexham (on loan from Manchester City), Scott Smith at Woking, Jason Batty at Grimsby Town and the younger players at Barnsley, including David Mulligan, Allan Pearce and Darren Young.

"We have to name an All Whites and under-20 side in January," said Dugdale.

"This is a good opportunity to have a look at players for both teams."