Wairarapa United will be without former national representative Andy Taylor for their Capital Soccer premier division campaign in 2006.
Taylor arrived home from England to be an integral member of the squad which won the Capital first division title last season and is shortly to return there.
Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley said Taylor's experience and commitment would be missed.
Usually playing in the centre of the midfield he had impressed last season with his ability to win possession in one-on-one situations, his fitness and his ability to take the right options on both attack and defence.
Keinzley's said Taylor's place would probably be filled by Palmerston North recruit James Oxtoby who had made such a big impression for the Red Sox club at central league level.
"He (Oxtoby) has similar skills to Andy but , yes,they are big boots to fill," Keinzley said.
Oxtoby was not available to take part in a trial match held by Wairarapa United at Carterton on Saturday.
That game saw last season's successful team take on a side consisting of the club's new recruits plus other hopefuls and Keinzley was delighted with the depth of talent on display in a game won by the 2005 squad 5-4.
"We always thought there would be keen competition for places in the top side and the trial certainly enforced that view," he said.
Of the newcomers to the Wairarapa United line-up two who made a big impression were central fullback, Fijian Petero Dauniseka, and Cook Islands goalkeeper Tony Jamieson.
Dauniseka was not only strong in defence but showed speed and tactical nous when pushing forward while Jamieson came through a busy game with flying colours.
The leading goal scorer in the match was another Fijian in Pita Rabo, who continued the fine form he showed last season in scoring four of his side's five goals.
United linchpin Taylor heading back to England
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