Defender Dane Ingham expelled from All Whites squad after arriving out of condition

  • 29/08/2017

Defender Dane Ingham has been sent home from All Whites camp after arriving out of shape.

Coach Anthony Hudson confirmed that the 18-year-old had turned up out of condition and has already left the squad.

"He was unfit, his body fat was high. We've given him a couple of fitness tests and he's not where we need him to be," Hudson told Newshub.

The Brisbane Roar back was called up to the national side earlier this year alongside his brother Jai, playing in the World Cup qualifiers against Fiji and all three of the All Whites' games at the Confederations Cup.

Hudson spoke of the importance of Ingham to the squad going forward, saying it was a difficult decision but one from which the teenager would take plenty of learnings.

"Young kids make mistakes, especially when they've only just turned professional. Unfortunately, he needs to learn, and he will learn.

"It was a very difficult conversation, I know he was upset and it's hard for him.

"I've told him he's a massive part of what we want to do. He's going to be back in here in no time and I know he's going to respond the right way."

Ingham has played on only three occasions for the Roar but made an immediate impact, netting a goal in his second game to become the fourth youngest goal-scorer in A-league history.

The additional squad depth is something Hudson says has enabled him to make such cuts, admitting he would have had to "bite the bullet" if the same incident had occurred in previous years.

"I've been wanting to make these decisions two-and-a-half, three years ago. Now we have the squad," said the Englishman.

The All Whites will play the Solomon Islands on Friday in the first of two World Cup qualifiers.

Newshub.