22 May 2010

Socceroo Schwarzer may miss All Whites friendly

9:25 am on 22 May 2010

The veteran Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has a thumb strain and is in doubt for Monday's football World Cup friendly against New Zealand.

Schwarzer injured the thumb in training on Thursday.

The All Whites coach Ricki Herbert's expecting a big crowd at the MCG with both nations heading to the Cup.

Herbert says it's great it's not just a send-off for the Australians and his charges are looking forward to the game.

Herbert says it's been a long time - probably too long - since the All Whites last played the Socceroos.

That was back in 2005 in another friendly, a 1-0 loss at Fulham's home ground, Craven Cottage, in London.

The All Whites depart this afternoon for their four-match build-up programme ahead of the tournament in South Africa.