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14/06/2012 4:27:00 PM

Bite-sized news for you to chew on - Sermanni names Matildas squad, Hernandez set for move to India and much more

Australia women's coach Tom Sermanni has selected a 23-player squad for his side's international with New Zealand on June 24 in Wollongong, with veteran Kate Gill returning to the Matildas set up after recovering from serious knee injury.  But while the 27-year-old's return adds experience to the squad, there is no shortage of youth.  With several players unable to be called upon due to the match falling on a unofficial match date, the likes of Ashley Brown, Brianna Davey, Stephanie Catley [all Melbourne Victory] and Georgia Yeoman-Dale and Hayley Raso [Canberra United] are a chance to debut. Full squad: Melissa Barbieri, Brianna Davey; Ellyse Perry, Thea Slatyer, Laura Alleway, Ellie Brush, Caitlin Cooper, Danielle Brogan, Emma Checker, Stephanie Catley; Caitlin Foord, Teigen Allen, Teresa Polias, Renee Rollason, Clare Polkinghorne, Alanna Kennedy, Nicola Bolger; Sarah Walsh, Kate Gill, Ashley Brown, Catherine Cannuli, Georgia Yeoman-Dale, Hayley Raso.

Former Melbourne Victory attacking midfielder Carlos Hernandez appears set for a shock move to the Indian Premier League.  A fan favourite at Victory over his five seasons at the club, the Costa Rican left the club after failing to agree a new deal and feature in the plans of new coach Ange Postecoglou.  There had been speculation the likes of Adelaide United could make a play for the 30-year-old, but reports in India indicate Calcutta-based club Prayag United have instead landed the talented attacker.

Meanwhile, Victory's city rivals Melbourne Heart could be set to shake up their training program.  The Herald Sun claim AZ Alkmaar coach Gert Verbeek - brother of former Australia manager Pim - will be part of a club delegation to meet with the Heart next week, with revamping the A-League outfit's training system on the agenda.  The Heart are considering combining their senior and youth programs, in a move that would emulate the likes of Eredivisie club AZ.  In other club news, the Melbourne newspaper has reports Hayden Foxe, Joe Mullen, Kenny Lowe and Stuart Munro are all in the running for the vacant assistant coach and youth coach roles.

Ruben Zadkovich has targeted a return to the Newcastle Jets midfield in the 2012-13 A-League season.  The 26-year-old's versatility was used by coach Gary van Egmond in the second half of the season, with Zadkovich employed at right-back to help shore up the Jets' defence.  But the former Sydney FC and Derby County utility is eyeing a return to midfield, particularly now the Jets have added cover in the full-back positions with the capture of former Perth Glory right-back Scott Neville.  "Obviously last year we weren't playing too well at the back and Gary moved me to right-back and I did a job for him there," he told the Jets' website.  "I'm definitely happier in the midfield and I'm pretty certain that if I do my best, that’s where I’ll be playing.  It's the engine room of the team and that’s where you can get stuck in and really set the tone for the match.  I enjoy tackling, passing, creating opportunities and I like to do a bit of everything and that's the only position on the field where you can really do that."

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