WELLINGTON – Team Wellington have made the best start to this years NZFC campaign and it looks like their squad is only going to get stronger with the recent signing of former
Knights defender and New Zealand youth international Cole Tinkler.

Tinkler has just finished a season with professional outfit Sengkang-Punggol FC in Singapore and will be looking to force his way into a stiff defence which has only conceded seven
goals in six games.

Tinkler last played in the NZFC for Auckland City in the 2006/07 season and could be a key contributor for Wellington coach Stu Jacobs heading into the New Year.

His first test could come as early as Sunday as Wellington face O’League champions Waitakere United at Newtown Park. A win will lift Wellington into first place heading into the
Christmas break, a present which will beat all others for Jacobs.

Waitakere who recently returned from the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan, took their frustrations of an early elimination out on Otago United last week, trouncing them 4-0.

This week’s match-up will be a tighter affair with Wellington likely to go after Waitakere while playing their attractive brand of attacking football.

The rescheduled fixture will be the only match played in the NZFC this week and Wellington will be hoping for a repeat of their opening round win against the Auckland visitors when
they won 2-1 at Fred Taylor Park.

Jacobs will be looking to freshen up his young side with a number of possible key changes to his squad. Michael Wilson and Darren Cheriton are both heading overseas and gutsy
midfielder Adam Birch will be forced to watch from the sidelines after collecting his fourth yellow card for the season. But top scorer Daniel Ellenshon looks like he will regain his starting birth
for the first time since injuring his leg during international duty in Vanuatu.

Tinkler is likely to slot into centre back after fulfilling his mandatory 30-day stand down since playing in the Singapore league.

Waitakere have produced a solid run since the first up loss to Wellington. In the last five games they have won four and drawn one and sit in third place on the table.

The match will kick off on Sunday, December 23rd, 4pm, at Newtown Park, Wellington.

For full Interview with Cole Tinkler Click here