Moss, Bertos set to return to boost All Whites

ALL WHITES coach Ricki Herbert is set to field his firstchoice ‘‘back-five’’ against Trinidad and Tobago today with goalkeeper Glen Moss and midfielder Leo Bertos almost certain to return.

The pair missed last Sunday’s training game draw with Major League Soccer club Chivas USA to rest injuries.

But Moss and Bertos trained fully with the All Whites’ at Winston Reid’s captain’s run at the match venue in Port of Spain, Trinidad, yesterday.

A team spokesman said the duo would be monitored overnight before Herbert confirms his starting lineup.

But the All Whites’ boss is likely to have Moss in goal, Reid, Andrew Durante and Tommy Smith in a three-man defence with Bertos (right) and Tony Lochhead (left) as wing backs.

Jeremy Christie, who played in central midfield against Chivas, was unable to travel to the Caribbean. He has remained in the United States where he has applied for green card residential status.

Canterbury United’s Aaron Clapham is likely to start in midfield alongside playmaker Michael McGlinchey, leaving targetman Rory Fallon, Kosta Barbarouses and Jeremy Brockie up front.

Veteran defender Ivan Vicelich, who was unable to play in the United States due to injury, has returned to Auckland, leaving the All Whites with a 20-man squad in the Caribbean.