RORY FALLON is expected to be handed the chance to help fire New Zealand into the World Cup finals when they meet Bahrain tomorrow in the second leg of the Asia/Oceania play-off.

The Argyle striker made his All Whites debut last month when he started the 0-0 first leg draw in Manama.

For tomorrow's match in Wellington, New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert is set to stick with the 3-4-3 formation he utilised in the first leg.

That will enable Fallon to spearhead the All Whites' attack alongside Shane Smeltz and Celtic's Chris Killen.

Fallon should enter the clash full of confidence after scoring Argyle's winner in last Saturday's 2-1 home win against Doncaster Rovers.

Darcy Blake looks set to play some part in Wales' friendly against Scotland in Cardiff tomorrow.

The on-loan Cardiff City right-back was originally named in Wales' under-21 side for their European Championship clash in Bosnia on Wednesday.

However, Blake was withdrawn from the under-21 squad and promoted to the senior squad due to a spate of injuries.

Nottingham Forest full-back Chris Gunter is the latest withdrawal.

He joins a long list which includes James Collins, Craig Bellamy, Jack Collison, Simon Davies, David Vaughan, Neal Eardley and Boaz Myhill.

Another loan player, Aston Villa centre-back Shane Lowry, could feature for Australia tomorrow when they face Oman in their Asia Cup second-leg encounter.

The Socceroos won last month's first leg encounter 1-0.

Fellow centre-back, Reda Johnson, has been named in Benin's squad for tomorrow's World Cup and African Cup of Nations double-header against Sudan in Omdurman.

The defender is far from match-fit – he has not managed to complete 90 minutes of competitive first-team action since he joined the Pilgrims in the summer.

Johnson only resumed training last week, so it remains to be seen what, if any, action he will see this weekend.

Striker Cillian Sheridan, on loan from Celtic, is in the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad for their two European Championship qualifiers away to Georgia tomorrow and to Armenia next Tuesday.

Sheridan was set to be joined in the Republic of Ireland squad by Alan Judge.

However, Judge was forced to come off after 79 minutes of last Saturday's 2-1 win over Doncaster with a knee injury.

Argyle managed to convince the Irish hierarchy that the on-loan Blackburn Rovers midfielder was better off remaining in England so he could undergo treatment.

David Gray is another Pilgrims player who will not feature this weekend.

The on-loan Manchester United right-back, who has been hindered by a hip injury, was due to represent Scotland Under-21s in tomorrow's European Championship qualifier away to Azerbaijan.

But Gray has also been retained by the Pilgrims so he can, too, receive treatment.