This again means a start for Roque Santa Cruz who despite not being fully fit will partner Christian Riveros in attack.

Returning from injury is midfielder Jonathan Santana, who is expected to start on the bench for Paraguay.

New Zealand also have a number of players returning, including goalkeeper Glen Moss, who is back from suspension and midfielder Tim Brown who is fully fit after a broken shoulder.

Neither man is likely to start. Mark Paston’s impressive performance against Italy means that he will keep his place between the sticks and coach Ricki Herbert is set to keep faith with the eleven that performed so well against Italy.

Neither side has any suspensions to contend with but the whole of the New Zealand defence are a yellow card away from a one match ban.

KICK-OFF: THURSDAY JUNE 24th 15:00 GMT

LATEST PARAGUAY vs NEW ZEALAND ODDS AND BETTING

THE FINAL NEW ZEALAND SOCCER SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Mark Paston (Wellington Phoenix), Glen Moss (Melbourne Victory), James Bannatyne (Team Wellington).

Defenders: Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn Rovers), Ivan Vicelich (Auckland City), Ben Sigmund (Wellington Phoenix), Winston Reid (FC Midtjylland), Tommy Smith (Ipswich Town), Tony Lochhead (Wellington Phoenix), Andy Boyens (New York Red Bulls).

Midfielders: Simon Elliott (unattached), Tim Brown (Wellington Phoenix), Leo Bertos (Wellington Phoenix), Michael McGlinchey (Motherwell), Aaron Clapham (Canterbury United), David Mulligan (unattached), Jeremy Brockie (Newcastle Jets), Andy Barron (Team Wellington), Jeremy Christie (FC Tampa Bay).

Strikers: Chris Killen (Middlesbrough), Shane Smeltz (Gold Coast United), Chris Wood (West Bromwich Albion), Rory Fallon (Plymouth Argyle).

LATEST NEW ZEALAND WORLD CUP ODDS AND BETS