Soccer: Perfect time to stop slide

Former internationals Paul Urlovic and Jonathan Perry return to an Auckland City side determined to shake off their post-Christmas blues.

The away game against YoungHeart Manawatu tonight could prove pivotal for City who have lost both away (against Napier City) and at home (against Waikato FC) in their last two games.

Six days on, City coach Allan Jones must find something different or risk handing the New Zealand Football Championship lead to Waitakere United.

Urlovic, returning from injury, and Perry, back after suspension, need to find their best form in a team who could be without Greg Uhlmann and Glen Eie who did not get through a midweek friendly against the national under-20s.

Manawatu coach Colin Tuaa too is looking for a turnaround.

"Key defender Mark Tesar returns for what is a must-win game for us. Although we have only secured one point in our last three outings we are playing our best football.

"Confidence and spirit within the squad is great," said Tuaa. "We just need more accuracy and a little luck in front of goal."

In a second game tonight, Team Wellington have home advantage against Canterbury United as they seek to continue their unbeaten start to the New Year.

"We have put in two excellent performances in our first two games of the New Year," said Wellington coach Mick Waitt. "We were well worth our 5-0 victory over Otago and probably had our best performance of the season against Napier when we came back from 0-3 at halftime after a couple of silly mistakes led to the first two goals."

Wellington will be without influential midfielder Raf de Gregorio who has copped a two-match suspension and are awaiting the result of a fitness test on star midfielder Bryan Little after he limped off with a calf strain in the 3-3 draw in Napier.

The match at Newtown Park is the 50th for the visitors since they were formed in 2002. Coach Danny Halligan has been in charge at Canterbury United for all 50 matches.

They need to shrug off the loss of Kris Bright and Jeremy Brockie (to the national under-20 side) and injured Jamie Smith and Michael Lilley for this key battle between Canterbury, in fourth place, and Wellington, six points back at the bottom of the table.

The 14th round will be completed on Sunday with two matches.

Waitakere United will head to the deep south aware of tonight's result between co-leaders Auckland City and Manawatu.

With Keryn Jordan returning from suspension and Noah Hickey continuing his comeback, United are close to full strength for the first meeting of the two sides since Waitakere beat Otago United 2-0 in the first round.

"Otago United have been the surprise team of the year and we will not be taking them lightly as they have rarely been beaten since the beginning of the season," said Waitakere coach Chris Milicich. "This match will complete the second [of three] round. The season is now getting to the business end."

In Sunday's other game, Waikato FC are at home to Napier City.