Soccer: Kingz hope to have imports playing

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The Football Kingz hope to have Norwegian striker Aleksander Midtsian and fellow countryman Espen Schjerven in action this week.

They were embarrassed last week by the unavailability of Midtsian for their opening game of the new Australian National League season last Sunday because of a technicality over his transfer.

Schjerven had arrived in New Zealand less than 48 hours before the loss to Newcastle United and was given time to recover.

"Midtsian's transfer is now with Fifa's players status committee," said Kingz chairman Chris Turner yesterday. "It is only a technicality involving an earlier transfer and we are hopeful it will be cleared up this week."

It is understood Soccer Australia and its Norwegian counterpart have okayed the transfer, but final approval must come from Fifa.

Coach Ken Dugdale, looking for something better in Sunday's away game to Sydney United, will welcome the two imports as he battles to get a number of players over niggling pre-season injuries.

He is likely to again be without Chilean defender Mauro Donoso and has Mark Burton, Chad Coombes, Brad Scott, Riki van Steeden and Campbell Banks all under injury clouds.

* The Kingz have signed an agreement to help develop young players at Mt Albert Grammar.

The idea is to share resources and facilities and enhance coaching and player development at one of the leading soccer schools.

The Kingz will be able to sign players from MAG's academy programme once their schooling is finished or when the two parties agree.

It is hoped the plan will smooth the path for bright young talent to become apprentice professional footballers.