NEW ZEALAND NAMES WORLD CUP SQUAD

New Zealand has named seven Europe-based players in its 23-man squad for the World Cup in South Africa.

Blackburn Rovers central defender Ryan Nelsen will captain the side that is appearing in the tournament for the first time since its debut in 1982.

Plymouth's Rory Fallon, Chris Killen of Middlesbrough, Tommy Smith of Ipswich, West Brom's Chris Wood and Motherwell's Michael McGlinchey are also included.

They join Denmark-based Winston Reid, who plays for FC Midtjylland.

Reid, who played for Denmark's under-20 side before switching allegiances, is one of two uncapped players named by coach Ricki Herbert, along with former under-20 international Aaron Clapham.

Clapham, who plays for Canterbury in his homeland, impressed in Sunday's trial match where he lined up for New Zealand A against a New Zealand Football Championship All Stars XI and created his side's second goal in a 2-0 win.

Clapham aside, Herbert's squad contained few surprises with the former All Whites defender pledging to select the 18 players who helped get New Zealand to the World Cup.

While he backtracked on that slightly – omitting Aaron Scott – the bulk of the squad involved in qualifying was retained.

Jeremy Christie was another notable inclusion after being forced to move to the Tampa Bay Rowdies after he was axed by the Wellington Phoenix at the end of the 2008-09 A-League season.