KEY POINTS:
The NZ Knights could boast several new faces when they face Newcastle Jets at North Harbour Stadium tomorrow.
Former English Premier League player Dean Gordon has completed his anticipated switch from Auckland City for the round-15 clash.
And Hyundai A-League head of operations Matt Carroll has signed off on former Chinese international Li Yan becoming a marquee player for the Knights, who have also secured striker Lei Lei Gao.
FFA cleared the Chinese pair last night and the midfielders/strikers were named in the Knights squad and whether they played or not would depend on fitness tests on other team members, the club said.
Tomorrow's match promises to be a difficult assignment for stand-in coach Barry Simmonds.
In five matches against the Jets the Knights have lost four and drawn one, scoring only two goals and conceding 14.
With two New Zealanders, Vaughan Coveny and Steven Old, listed in the Jets' squad and with players such as the ever-dangerous Nick Carle to contend with, the Knights face another tough struggle.
In off-field developments this week, the Asian Football Confederation has ruled that in future, A-League clubs can list no more than three foreign players among their squads.
New Zealand players are tagged as foreigners by the AFC under whose banner the top Australian teams win through to play in the Asian Champions League.
"This could have a spin-off for the Knights," said Carroll. "It could be that New Zealand players might be let go and be available for the Knights."
Carroll, while continuing to back the Knights in the A-League, still has reservations.
"They have to have a good, hard look at themselves," he said. "They have to recruit better and get themselves a good coach. I hope they get it right.
"We want the Knights, like any club, to succeed."
Of Li Yan's impending appearance, Carroll said the FFA had tracked his record saying it was probably better than other Chinese players who had, or were, playing in the league.
Such a player might attract the fans to North Harbour Stadium.
"I know their fans are frustrated," said Carroll. "I am continually receiving emails from them expressing their dismay and disappointment at what is happening.
"Of the question of New Zealand players being classed as foreigners that is something I'm keen to discuss with New Zealand Soccer. There will, we hope, be more opportunities for New Zealanders in their squad.
"We tried to get them exempted but the Asians wouldn't budge."
Whether the Knights would now be allowed to challenge for a spot in the Oceania Champions League might again be raised with the confirmation that under no circumstances will they be allowed to play in the Asian Champions League.
That promises to create more debate because NZ Soccer has decreed any places in the O League remain with NZFC clubs who are certain to fight any move to weaken efforts to chase a shot at Fifa's Club World Cup.
ROUND 15
NZ Knights v Newcastle Jets
North Harbour Stadium, 5pm tomorrow
