Soccer: Hay eager to return to All White colours

Danny Hay, the second New Zealander to play in the English premier soccer league when he turned out for Leeds United last weekend, is keen to return to the All Whites next year.

The 24-year-old former Waitakere City and Perth Glory player became the first New Zealand player since Lee Norfolk turned out for Ipswich Town in 1995 to play at that level.

Delighted with his call-up off the bench to replace club and South African captain Lucas Radebe, who went off with concussion at the end of the first half in the 4-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur, Hay was also left smarting.

"I got hit five minutes into the second half of that game and I've got a broken nose, which doesn't make my face look too good at the moment," he said.

"I thought I made some nice touches when I went on, then I got hit and I was a dazed for a little while, but it felt good to be playing and getting game time."

Hay said he felt his first appearance in the premier league had justified his decision to concentrate on trying to make the Leeds playing squad for the last two years.

It was a decision which saw him miss the Confederations Cup finals last year, resulting in a falling out with All Whites coach Ken Dugdale.

However, the pair have kept in touch through e-mail, and Dugdale, who heads to Europe soon to visit his players there, is to meet Hay on that trip.

"I had to make some tough decisions regarding my footballing future and I did that," Hay said.

"You're only at the peak of your playing powers for a short time, so you try and make the best of your ability.

"I certainly feel justified now that I made the decision to stay with Leeds. I'm like every other player.

"I'm only good to the national side if I am playing, and playing at the highest level I can."

Hay said he was looking forward to meeting Dugdale and reaffirmed his desire to return to the national side for the first time in two years.

"You always want to play for your country, but sometimes you have to make tough decisions.

"But I'm keen to be available to play for New Zealand in the World Cup qualifiers next June.

"I don't think I have a problem with Ken Dugdale either.

"We've kept in contact for a quite a while and I don't see any problems there."

Driving Hay's desire to return to the New Zealand fold is the possibility of locking horns with clubmates Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell, of Australia.

"They'll be more than likely to be playing for Australia in the World Cup qualifiers next year, and it would be just great to get to play against Mark and Harry.

"You always get that transtasman rivalry. It doesn't matter where you are."

Hay said that despite not being available for the All Whites for the last two seasons, he had always kept an eye on how they were performing.

"They've gone pretty well really. I haven't always seen them play, but I've always been pretty aware of what they're doing and how they're performing."

Hay's Leeds debut was in the Champions Cup, when he played the last four minutes of their 0-4 loss to Barcelona three weeks ago.

- NZPA