Source: Northern_Echo
Four Boro stars in line for World Cup
MIDDLESBROUGH could be the only Championship club with four players at the World Cup finals following yesterday's squad announcements from Australia and New Zealand.[LNB] Scott McDonald, Rhys Williams and Brad Jones were all included in Pim Verbeek's provisional 31-man Socceroos squad, along with eight other players who play their club football in England.[LNB] An hour or so later, Chris Killen was confirmed in New Zealand's final 23-man squad for their first appearance in a World Cup finals since 1982.[LNB] Rather than naming a provisional party and whittling it down at the start of next month, New Zealand boss Ricki Herbert has opted to confirm his final squad at the earliest available opportunity.[LNB] Australia's squad contained a handful of surprises notably the inclusion of the injured Harry Kewell but all three Boro players survived Verbeek's initial cut.[LNB] McDonald's inclusion was widely expected, and it would be a major surprise if the striker did not start Australia's opening group game against Germany on June 13.[LNB] The 26-year-old, who made a £3.5m move from Celtic in January, has won 15 caps and is regarded as a key member of Verbeek's preferred line up.[LNB] Williams and Jones are less established members of the set-up, and both will be somewhat relieved to have made yesterday's provisional squad.[LNB] Jones, whose only senior cap came in 2007, certain to travel to South Africa, as Verbeek has only named three keepers in the provisional squad he submitted to FIFA.[LNB] Mark Schwarzer and Adam Federici have also been included, with Adelaide United's Eugene Galekovic named as a 31st squad member, who will spend the next three weeks training as a standby.[LNB] Williams' versatility should stand him in good stead when Verbeek names his final squad of 23 next month, as even though he spent almost all of last season playing in midfield, the majority of his international outings have come at right-back.[LNB] However, he has spent the last month battling against a pelvic injury, and Middlesbrough have requested the right to run their own series of tests before his participation in South Africa is confirmed.[LNB] Killen will definitely be involved in the finals following his inclusion in New Zealand's final squad.[LNB] The striker, who is due to become a free agent during the tournament, has scored ten goals in 30 appearances for the All Whites.[LNB] He could find himself lining up against his club mates this month, as New Zealand's opening warm up game will pit them against Australia at Melbourne's MCG on May 24.[LNB]
