Soccer: Knights miss out on Coveny

The New Zealand Knights have failed to secure the signature of veteran All Whites striker Vaughan Coveny for the A-League soccer season.

Coach Paul Nevin has confirmed the signing of Canterbury United striker Michael White but said Coveny had opted to remain in Melbourne for family reasons.

Coveny, 34, scored two goals for New Zealand in Sunday's 3-1 win over Georgia to become the All Whites' record scorer. He played more than 300 games in the old Australian national league and had a stint with the Newcastle Jets in last season's A-League.

It has left Nevin searching overseas for more strikers to line up alongside Nelson-based White, 18, had been offered terms as one of the club's two under-20 players.

White impressed in a training stint with the Knights last week after a promising trial last November.

Nevin was hopeful White could make a similar impact to his former Nelson Suburbs teammate Jeremy Brockie, who debuted for the Knights last year but has since switched to A-League champions Sydney FC.

"I've been watching Michael since I've been in the country," Nevin told The Press newspaper.

"He's got a lot of enthusiasm and quite a bit of pace and energy and I think he can make an impact, off the bench, or whatever the circumstances may be."

White's signing follows that of Ghanaian Malik Buari last week.

Nevin is familiar with Buari, who was in his Fulham reserve squad several years ago. Buari also made five appearances for the Fulham first team.

"Malik is a versatile player capable of playing in almost any position," Nevin told the Knights' website.

"He is most comfortable out wide and can play as an out and out striker if required. He is very fit, athletic and has good strength."

Nevin said pre-season training was progressing well, with fitness trainer Kevin O'Leary putting the players through their paces seven weeks out from the first pre-season Cup game against Newcastle.

- NZPA