Soccer: Their loss, All Whites' gain

All White Simon Elliott is training with the Phoenix. Photo / Dean Purcell

Simon Elliott and Andy Boyens will join Wellington Phoenix training in the coming days to prepare for the All Whites' playoff with Bahrain on November 14.

Both play in the United States but their MLS seasons finish this weekend with their respective sides already eliminated from playoff contention.

Elliott's San Jose are last of the eight teams in the Western conference while Boyens' New York are a distant last in the Eastern standings.

Elliott, in particular, is a vital member of the All Whites side for the biggest game for New Zealand in 27 years.

He has family in Wellington so it will not be a huge additional cost to bring him, and Boyens, to New Zealand early.

"We have made the offer to Simon and Andy and chances are they will train with the Wellington Phoenix for a couple of weeks before the game," New Zealand Football chief executive Michael Glading said. "The Phoenix are very co-operative and happy to include them."

The fact their coach, Ricki Herbert, is also New Zealand coach helps.

Defender Aaron Scott and midfielder Andy Barron trained with the Phoenix prior to the first leg of the playoff with Bahrain because it was outside the NZFC season.

Neither played against Bahrain but going from Waitakere United or Team Wellington training to a World Cup playoff is not ideal.

Bringing Elliott and Boyens in early to Wellington will mean only the four UK-based players - Ryan Nelsen, Chris Killen, Rory Fallon and Chris Wood - will travel late and from large distances. The remainder of the squad will come from the A-League and NZFC.

It's hard to see Herbert making any changes, injuries notwithstanding, to the squad of 19 he took to Bahrain for the 0-0 draw. The squad is likely to be trimmed to 18 with less need for a third goalkeeper.

Two who might come into consideration are Stephen Old and Jeremy Brockie.

Old has been playing right-back regularly for Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premier League and could be a chance because of the difficulties Herbert has in finding a reliable right-back.

Brockie has recently returned from injury to play for North Queensland.

But Michael McGlinchey's form for Central Coast and off the bench in the first leg has probably put paid to any recall for Brockie.