Ben Old
Saint-ÉtienneLW
Wide Forward
Aug 13, 2002 (23)
Left
5'8"
146 lb
Returns in friendly
Old (thigh) came off the bench for 24 minutes in Tuesday's 4-0 defeat against Haiti, marking his return to competitive action after arriving late to New Zealand's training camp in Florida due to a muscular thigh issue.
Analysis: Old's appearance confirms he is on track to be available for the All Whites' World Cup campaign, with his expected starting role at left-back now looking secure heading into the tournament. The coming days of training will be important in building his match sharpness and be set to start in New Zealand's opening fixture.
Joins New Zealand camp
Old (thigh) arrived at New Zealand's training camp in Florida late Saturday and is set to complete his first session with the group Monday, with his availability for Tuesday's warm-up match against Haiti remaining uncertain, according to Tribune Stephanoise.
Analysis: Old's late arrival means he is unlikely to start against Haiti if he does feature, with a bench role the most probable scenario given the limited time he has had to integrate with the group. The left back had been dealing with a muscular thigh issue in the lead-up to the tournament, making his timely arrival at camp a positive development for the All Whites heading into the World Cup. Old is expected to start at left-back for New Zealand during the tournament itself, making the coming days of training crucial in assessing his readiness ahead of their opening fixture.
Uncertain for playoff first leg
Old (thigh) has been dealing with a muscular issue in his thigh since the match against Rodez and is uncertain for Tuesday's Ligue 2 playoff first leg against Nice, according to coach Philippe Montanier. "Ben Old is uncertain, he has been struggling since Rodez. We will have a final assessment tomorrow morning during the warm-up session."
Analysis: Old's availability is a significant concern for Saint-Etienne heading into one of the most important fixtures of their season, with the midfielder's creative presence a key factor in the club's play. The timing of the injury is also worrying on an international level, as Old is set to represent New Zealand at the World Cup in June, making any aggravation of the thigh issue particularly unwelcome. A final call will be made ahead of Tuesday's first leg at Geoffroy-Guichard.
Select Player
Search and select a player to compare