Herbert names New Zealand squad for Mexico, Australia fixtures

New Zealand national team boss Ricki Herbert has named a 23-man squad for upcoming matches against Mexico and Australia.

The All Whites take on El Tri in Denver, Colorado on June 1 before meeting the Socceroos in Adelaide four days later.

Herbert has been forced to leave out Blackburn Rovers captain Ryan Nelsen to injury as well as Plymouth Argyle forward Rory Fallon and Wellington Phoenix winger Leo Bertos whilst Phoenix keeper Mark Paston has been included but is unlikely to play as he continues to recover from his knee problem.

And Herbert added that he is taking quite a large squad as the hectic travel schedule is likely to put strain on the players.

“Primarily, the depth of the squad is around the closeness of the games," Herbert said.

"It's going to be difficult to back everybody up, having to jump on a plane the next day.

"If we need them (the extra players), we need them, if we don't we don't," he added.

"I won't be in a rush to take players off the pitch. We would try to give them as much time as we can."

New Zealand squad for upcoming friendlies

Goalkeepers

Jake Gleeson (Portland Timbers)
Glen Moss (Gold Coast United)
Mark Paston (Wellington Phoenix)

Defenders

Andrew Boyens (Chivas USA)
Michael Boxall (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Michael Fitzgerald (Albirex Niigata, Japan)
Tony Lochhead (Wellington Phoenix)
Winston Reid (West Ham)
Ben Sigmund (Wellington Phoenix)
Tommy Smith (Ipswich Town)
Ivan Vicelich (Auckland City)

Midfielders

Jeremy Brockie (Newcastle Jets)
Tim Brown (Wellington Phoenix)
Aaron Clapham (Canterbury United)
Simon Elliott (Chivas USA)
David Mulligan (Auckland City)
Michael McGlinchey (Central Coast Mariners)
Marco Rojas (Melbourne Victory)

Forwards

Kosta Barbarouses (Brisbane Roar)
Craig Henderson (Mjallby - Sweden)
Chris Killen (Shenzhen Ruby - China)
Shane Smeltz (Perth Glory)
Chris Wood (West Bromwich Albion)