Blues players carrying injuries have been given until the end of the year to prove their fitness for next year's Super 12 series, which starts in February.

Coach Peter Sloane said the Blues management had faith in their urrent squad, but some would need to pass fitness tests. "Right now in this squad there's two or three players that have got tags on them that they need to come up by the end of December fitness-wise," Sloane said.

Sloane would not say who the players were, but said they were returning from injury. Players injured in the NPC, or who have had recent surgery on chronic injuries, include All Blacks Troy Flavell and Ron Cribb (pictured), as well as Auckland flanker Justin Collins.

"If you go back I think you would see a couple have had bad trots and injuries, and they just need time," Sloane said.

"We have a real belief in them, but they have to prove they are up to the standard by the end of December."

Sloane named 26 players in the Blues Tuesday and will add two more backs. One will be Northland fullback Hayden Taylor, if he can get a release from an Italian club contract.

The other is expected to provide midfield or outside back cover, and Sloane said a number of players were options. There was no room in the side for utility Auckland back Orene Ai'i, although Sloane said the door was not closed on him, or North Harbour centre Rua Tipoki.

Sloane said Ai'i had not recovered his best form after struggling with a serious shoulder injury. Ai'i had been told the Blues were still interested in him for future seasons.

North Harbour fullback and former All Black Glen Osborne pulled out of the squad after deciding his body was not up to a Super 12 campaign.

French Test prop Christian Califano is included in the side, a controversial inclusion ahead of local players. Califano joined Auckland for the NPC season and Sloane said he would be used as loosehead prop, but could also provide cover at tighthead.

"We're not in the habit of giving away contracts," Sloane said. "There were certain props in the area that had been given incentives last year and have not come up fitness-wise."

Auckland provides both flyhalves for the team, with James Arlidge earning a contract alongside Carlos Spencer. Sloane has spoken with Spencer about his future after the player missed selection in John Mitchell's first All Blacks side.

Mitchell said he considered Spencer a centre or a fullback. "There may be an opportunity for Carlos to play fullback with us. If that helps him we'll try and accommodate that, he also may have an option of playing centre," Sloane said.

"We're delighted to have Carlos with us and feel that he's a key player for us and his experience means a lot to this side. We've lost a lot of experience so Carlos becomes a very key figure for the Blues 2002."

Sloane said he was happy to have Mark Robinson and Steve Devine as his halfbacks, after Byron Kelleher decided to stay in Dunedin. He said Robinson had had a superb NPC and boosted the squad's leadership stakes.

Sloane has not named a captain, but will when the Blues' All Blacks return from tour. - Sapa-NZPA