Shane Hurndell
Former Manchester United reserve grader Craig Dean returns to the Napier City soccer side for tonight's national league match against Auckland City in Napier.
Dean travelled home to England last month for a knee operation and arrived back in Napier yesterday.
Bluewater Napier City coach Charlie Howe said the operation went well and he has named Dean on his subs bench.
Dean's return gave Howe an injury-free squad to select from. But it was no surprise that he decided to stick with the starting XI which took the field in the last outing - that memorable 3-0 win against Otago United at Bluewater Stadium on December 17.
"We've trained right through the holiday period and the boys are pretty keen to build on that performance against Otago United," said Howe.
"There's a lot more enthusiasm in the side. Yes, it is a bit of a David and Goliath clash with us seventh and them top of the table but we know a good result tonight could turn our season around," he said.
Coach Howe indicated his troops will be far better prepared than they were before losing 3-1 to Auckland City in the Napier-hosted league opener on October 15.
Howe's son, former New Zealand Under-20 representative Peter Howe, didn't play in that game because of his university commitments in the United States.
He had his first outing in the league against Otago United and was an inspirational figure in the victory.
If he can reproduce his mighty defensive work and spark the counter attacks like he did that night Napier City supporters may have the luxury of celebrating their side's second consecutive upset win tonight.
Another player who wasn't on Napier City's roster that night was reserve keeper Nigel Robson who transferred to the Bay from Lower Hutt in time to warm the bench for the Otago United match. He will again be on the substitutes bench tonight.
South African striker Grant Young, fellow forward Liam Mulrooney and midfielder Prince Quansah are among the Aucklanders who will have to be closely marked. Young is among the top goalscorers in the league.
* The full Napier City side for the 6pm clash is: Mitchell O'Brien, Wayne Atkins, Matt Adams, Nick Hyde, Peter Howe, Chris McIvor, Jimmy Cudd, Leon Birnie, Jason Hayne, Hayden Beale, Jonathon Taylor. Substitutes: Warren Gilbertson, Anthony Floyd, Craig Dean, David Gearey, Sam Jenkins, Nigel Robson.
SOCCER: Napier City take new confidence into tonight's clash
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