KEY POINTS:
Encouraged by reports of Michael White's efforts for New Zealand A in last week's three-match Vietnam tournament, New Zealand Knights coach Paul Nevin has brought him into the squad for tomorrow's A-League clash with Queensland Roar at North Harbour Stadium.
But that promotion is not likely to go all the way with Nevin still reluctant to name him and other young players including Sime Kovacevic in the starting XI.
"It is very difficult to ask a young player to come straight in," said Nevin. "We are under enough pressure as it is without asking a player like Michael to start."
There could be a late change to the Knights squad for the match however with Australian midfielder Dustin Wells awaiting his clearance to join the Auckland-based side on a short-term contract as cover for injured Richard Johnson.
Nevin has also added goalkeeper Mark Paston, also back from Vietnam where he too was given the tick of approval from the coaching staff. But only two of three goalkeepers will be included when Nevin trims his squad later today.
Still hurting from last week's 4-0 hammering by Melbourne Victory, Nevin is determined there will be no soft goals this time.
"It is not a case of trying to be revolutionary," said Nevin. "We have to get back to the basics which served us well in their first couple of matches. As we saw last week, the setback of conceding an early goal is too often followed by a mental collapse."
Asked why there had been such a fall-off on defence, Nevin pointed to the loss of key midfielder Jonas Salley.
"He was a massive part of our defensive effort. We are also missing his physical presence."
Nevin laments the lack of depth in his squad pointing to Australian teams who can bring Socceroos off the bench.
"The transfer window is open for the month of November," said Nevin. "We have to make the best possible use of that."
Asked whether he, like his predecessor John Adshead, had underestimated the strength of the Hyundai A-League, Nevin said it was not so much a case of that rather that the standard this season was a definite step up from what he had seen last term.
Tomorrow's game is a painful reminder for Nevin and his players of the dose of reality at Suncorp Stadium when thrashed 5-0.
Knights V Roar
North Harbour Stadium, 5pm tomorrow
Knights: Danny Milosevic, Darren Bazeley, Greg Duruz, Che Bunce, Neil Emblen, Scot Gemmill, Jonti Richter, Malik Buari, Noah Hickey, Adam Casey, Sime Kovacevic, Hamza Mohammed, Campbell Banks, Michael White, Michael Turnbull, Mark Paston.
Queensland Roar: Tom Willis, Andrew Packer, Remo Buess, Josh McCloughan, Stuart McLaren, Marcus Wedau, Simon Lynch, Ante Milicic, Reinaldo, Yuning Zhang, Spase Dilevski, Matthew McKay, Hyuk-Su Seo, Sasa Ognenovski, Carl Recchia, Liam Reddy.
