Soccer: Kingz sign Christie but don't take him to game

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Former New Zealand under-17 captain Jeremy Christie has joined the Football Kingz but is unlikely to be rushed across the Tasman for tomorrow's must-win game against Melbourne Knights.

While happy to have Christie available from England, where he has had a long stint with financially troubled Barnsley, Kingz coach Ken Dugdale said it might be too soon to play him.

"He only arrived back early on Thursday morning and has not had time to integrate into the team," said Dugdale, who will not name his travelling party until after the team trains today.

In a change from other away fixtures this season, the Kingz will not fly to Australia until early tomorrow morning for the match which kicks off at 6pm (local time).

"It could be a lot easier for the players. They will have an extra night in their own beds and will not have to sit around the hotel in the heat. It is a minor change for us. Hopefully it will not backfire."

Dugdale said Australian defender Con Anthopoulos is likely to play as are Chileans Patricia Almendra and Mauro Donoso.

Apart from Mark Atkinson, who is troubled by a back injury, Dugdale has a full squad available for selection.

The coach would not be drawn on why striker Paul Urlovic missed last weekend's game in New Plymouth other than to say "any discipline measures stay in the squad".

Urlovic was sent off in a friendly against East Auckland 10 days ago.

Dugdale also played down an apparent stand-off between him and midfielder Raf de Gregorio during and after the game against Adelaide City.

"I sat down and explained things with Raf. He now understands the situation," said Dugdale.

"I will always try and put out the best 11 I can but when I try something different there is often the feeling of being damned if I do or damned if I don't."

Given the problems of the past few weeks which have seen the Kingz slip from being a top six chance to a struggling also ran, Dugdale said time was running out to fix the problems.

"Three weeks ago we were fine. Now we have to get out of a slump."

And quickly.