Soccer: Ex-Knight rides to opposition's rescue

Danny Hay

Just weeks after handing in his New Zealand Knights shirt, Danny Hay is set to return to North Harbour Stadium.

Only this time it will be to play against the Auckland-based franchise.

Hay, 30, flew to Australia yesterday in answer to an SOS from his old Perth Glory club.

"They are struggling a bit with Ante Kovacevic out with injury so they have asked me to join them for four weeks," said Hay, who led the Knights until his much-publicised bust-up last month.

"They are aware I haven't played for about six weeks.

"I have been jogging but I'm not match fit.

"I'm happy to sit on the bench and play when they want me to."

Perth Glory are at home to Queensland Roar on Saturday night and meet leaders Adelaide United, again at home, next Thursday before playing the Knights at North Harbour Stadium a week later.

Hay had two seasons at Perth - the last the 1998-99 season before joining Leeds United.

He was not at North Harbour Stadium last Friday night when the Knights snatched a deserved late 2-2 draw with Hyundai A-League contenders Sydney FC but watched the game on television.

"It seems the problems they have had at the club have been a bit of a wake-up call," said Hay.

The Knights, too, are poised to bring in a replacement player.

Goalkeeper Danny Milosevic is likely to be sidelined for between two and 12 weeks after his kneecap popped out in the first half of the last Friday's match.

Football manager John Adshead is expecting to name the new player later today.

They have a more than adequate replacement in Glen Moss, but still need cover in the key position.

"With a goalkeeper you can name a replacement for two weeks and just keep extending it from that point," said Adshead, who added that the new player would be recruited from within New Zealand.

The Knights have five league matches to play, including Sunday's away game with the Central Coast Mariners.

Their remaining two home games are against Perth and Adelaide (on January 28).