The duo had been requested by coach Stu Jacobs but neither player will be going to Beijing.

Because the Games do not fall in a FIFA window, clubs are not compelled to release their overage players for the tournament.

If they had been allowed to go then Smeltz and Lochhead would have left Ricki Herbert's squad looking rather bare, with three under 20 players having already been released for the Olympics.

A club spokesman told au.fourfourtwo.com that losing five players in a 20 man squad would have had a huge impact on pre-season preparations. He added: "Unfortunate and disappointing for the players, but they fully understand the rationale behind the decision."

Speaking to the Dominion Post last season's leading scorer Smeltz said: "Obviously it's a major sporting event in the world, so I think any athlete would love to go, but the circumstances with the club, I can fully understand where they are coming from, so we've come to the agreement not to go."

Meanwhile, the club are expected to announce the completion of a deal for former Central Coast Mariners striker Adam Kwasnik later today.