Soccer: One star fades, but United have plenty more

Andreu Guerao of Spain, front. Photo / AP

The loss of Auckland City's defensive midfielder Andreu Guerao to Georgia professional club Dinamo Tblisi should make little difference to the ASB Premiership front-runners.

Guerao, after a strong first-up showing in the pre-season win over now Hyundai A-League leaders Central Coast Mariners, was hampered by injury and missed much game time as City charged through the early rounds of the premiership and O-League unbeaten.

To underline their strength, coach Ramon Tribulietx has Manel Exposito and Adam Dickinson back for today's home game against Canterbury United after they missed City's pre-Christmas 3-0 win over Otago United.

Canterbury coach Keith Braithwaite also has to make changes - golden boot leader George Slefendorfas and Julyan Collett are suspended, All Whites midfielder Aaron Clapham and Jeremy Wild are injured and defender Paul Dirou is unavailable.

While he might be struggling without key players, Braithwaite does have a good record at Kiwitea St - the Dragons have had two wins and a draw on their most recent visits.

Waitakere United will start as warm favourites against YoungHeart Manawatu in the last of three games tomorrow but with several players missing, the result at Memorial Park is by no means a forgone conclusion.

Coach Neil Emblen has included himself in the squad as he seeks to cover the gaps left by Aaron Scott - out for up to three months with a knee injury - and Luke Adams, who was trialling at Derby County until a severe ACL injury sidelined him for six to eight months. Ryan de Vries is missing up front, but his absence is covered with the arrival of former Hawkes Bay United striker Andy Bevin from West Virginia University.

YoungHeart Manawatu coach Stu Jacobs has Vanuatu striker Seule Soromon and midfielder Matt Kennedy back.

Waitakere have a strong record in Palmerston North.

Frustrated by the weather in two attempts to play their home fixture with Hawkes Bay United, Waikato FC fly south knowing they will see their first action in more than a month against Otago United indoors at the Forsyth Barr Stadium.