Soccer: Chilean striker comes in from the cold to face Wolves

By Terry Maddaford

The chilly relationship between Chilean soccer striker Aaron Silva and the management of the Football Kingz appears to be thawing.

Kingz assistant coach Shane Rufer confirmed yesterday that Silva is set to return to the side for the first time since the November 13 home game against the Wollongong Wolves.

The Auckland-based franchise will meet the Adelaide Force away on Tuesday night.

"Aaron has been doing well in training and we seem certain to include him in the travelling party when it is finalised after training on Sunday," Rufer said. "Both he and [fellow Chilean] David Moya have been doing okay. They found it difficult to adapt early on but now realise everyone playing at this level has to do their share both on attack and defensively."

The quirky nature of the draw means the Kingz are playing the Force away for the second time in a month. They won the first game 3-2, a result Rufer is keen to see repeated.

"Team morale is very good despite a few off-field hiccups," he said.

"We have to remain positive."

Dino Mennillo will miss the game through a one-match suspension, while Chris Jackson returns after serving one match out after picking up four yellow cards.

The Kingz will take 16 players to Adelaide tomorrow but will leave two players out when the 14-strong squad are finalised on Tuesday.