Soccer: Rufer ready to start playing

By Terry Maddaford

Wynton Rufer will play his second game in the Australian national soccer league when the Football Kingz meet Newcastle at Breakers Stadium tonight.

Player-coach Rufer missed the last two games following a less-than-memorable first round debut as a defender at North Harbour Stadium in the Kingz 3-0 loss to Carlton.

He had planned to play last Sunday against South Melbourne but gave himself the day off to give his injured shoulder and Achilles tendon more time.

While he will probably start tonight's game on the bench, Rufer is certain to play at least part of the game as a striker against unbeaten Newcastle who have started their season with two draws and a convincing 2-0 away win over Northern Spirit last weekend.

In the only change from the squad who beat South Melbourne, Rufer has replaced Batram Suri.

Goalkeeper Michael Utting, who missed the game against South Melbourne because of a calf injury, has travelled to Newcastle - where the team trained on their arrival last evening - after playing for the Kingz in a friendly against the national under-17 side on Wednesday.

Rufer will decide just before kick-off whether Utting or Jason Batty, who played against South Melbourne, will play tonight (kick-off 10.30pm NZ time).

Joining Rufer on the bench tonight will probably be Chris Jackson and Marcus Stergiopoulos who, along with Suri, were the substitutes last Sunday.

Brisbane Strikers, who lead the Ericsson Cup with three-from-three - the only team with a perfect record - meet Northern Spirit in the feature fourth round game while second-placed Carlton meet Melbourne Knights tonight in an all-Melbourne clash.