Soccer: Knights play safe over cautions

Yellow cards are keeping Jonas Salley and Greg Duruz out of tonight's A-League Pre-Season Cup clash with Queensland Roar at North Harbour Stadium.

Midfielder Salley and defender Duruz have two each after the opening four games. A further one would rule them out of the opening round of the Hyundai A-League proper.

It's a risk coach Paul Nevin is not prepared to take. Newcomer Matt Carbon and fellow defender Che Bunce are ruled out through injury.

Youngsters Michael White and Adam Casey have been given their chance in being called into the 15-strong squad. With new father Danny Milosevic back and certain to play, guest goalkeeper Ivan Necevski has been released.

Nevin will not name his starting XI until just before kick-off but it is unlikely to vary much from the team who played Perth Glory a week ago.

"Sure, I was disappointed in not scoring goals against Perth," said Nevin.

"At this stage my emphasis has been on making the Knights a team that is hard to beat. I think we have achieved that and now it is time to go after goals.

"From what I saw when we played [Queensland] early on and in subsequent matches they have played, I know they are an extremely good passing team who like to play at a higher tempo than other sides. They will always go after goals. That suits us."

Goals have been at a premium for the Knights, having scored only twice in pre-season.

Nevin is not unduly concerned. He is convinced that in Dani Rodrigues they have a striker capable of scoring but does not see him as their sole attacking weapon.

"We also have Michael White, Noah Hickey and Sean Devine who will be expected to take an attacking role. I'm sure we will score goals."

They will need to tonight, otherwise they will almost certainly finish the pre-season where they were at the end of last season - at the bottom of the table.


Knights Squad v Queensland Roar

Danny Milosevic, Darren Bazeley , Neil Emblen, Richard Johnson, Scot Gemmill, Dani Rodrigues, Sean Devine, Jonti Richter, Malik Buari, Noah Hickey, Adam Casey, Frank van Eijs, Michael White, Sime Kovacevic, Michael Turnbull.

Kick-off: 7.30pm, North Harbour Stadium.