Soccer: Injury-hit leaders shelve excuses

Players not on the Kiwitea St pitch tomorrow as much as those who step on to it could prove the difference in the much-awaited clash of the round.

Auckland City coach Allan Jones and Waitakere United counterpart Chris Milicich are both contemplating big injury lists.

"We have been frustrated at losing key players but we have certainly not used that as an excuse," says Jones, who is resigned to losing All Whites defender Rupesh Puna probably for the rest of the season.

"Injuries are an on-going thing. This week, as an example, we have been waiting on a report on Paul Urlovic's hand, Paul Vodanovich did his knee at training and Greg Uhlmann, Jonathan Smith and Liam Mulrooney have been battling the flu.

"These things aside, it promises to be a great game and a test for Auckland's soccer public," Jones says. "Surely it is set up for a good crowd.

"We will need to compete ferociously and lift as you need to do for any local derby. The psychological battle will be just as hard as the physical one.

"Our last three games against Waitakere, Otago and Canterbury have all been six-pointers. This is no different.

"The games are getting tighter as teams are now playing each other for the second time and know what to expect," Jones says. "There is not the big difference between the top and the bottom as some people think."

Milicich puts his team out on the back of draws against Team Wellington and Napier City which has kept them at the top of the table trailing Auckland on goal difference.

He is aware of the need to return to winning form.

"Once again, I am faced with a survival of the fittest ahead of this weekend," Milicich says. "I can't make a call on all players until as late as Saturday morning.

"After such a good start it has been tough to pick up only two points out of a possible nine in recent weeks.

"All teams suffer from injuries and a form slump during the season but it is especially difficult when I look to the sidelines at training and see Danny Hay, Keryn Jordan, Noah Hickey, Graham Pearce and Paul Bunbury watching rather than participating."

Otago United are waiting to pounce should the leaders draw.

Long shots at the beginning of the season Otago who are just a point off the lead, face an unpredictable YoungHeart Manawatu at home.

A win at the Caledonian would be enough to take them to the top if the points are shared at Kiwitea St.

But the southerners too are having injury woes with impressive midfielder Michael Eisenhut sidelined after sustaining a serious ankle injury last weekend.

Otago coach Johan Koutstaal is also contemplating life without goalkeeper Lutz Pfannenstiel, who could be returning to Canada and perhaps playing in the Ukraine next year.

The transfer window, which opens next week, could come to Otago's rescue.

In other games, Team Wellington will chase their second win of the season at home to Waikato on Sunday while Canterbury are back at English Park for their clash with bottom-placed Napier City.