Soccer: Knights will miss key defenders

Knights coach John Adshead is preparing for more of the same against Queensland Roar at North Harbour Stadium tomorrow.

"They are the quickest side in the A-League," said Adshead.

"They come at you and are then just as happy to go one-on-one at the back. They are a gutsy side - but they do get caught."

It is that which gives Adshead some hope as the Knights head into their first game of the second round.

"We know what they do - we have looked at the tape of our first game against them and at their game last week when they drew 1-1 with Central Coast."

Now without Neil Emblen and Danny Hay, Adshead must overcome the loss of his two key central defenders. How he achieves that will, he says, depend on which system they play.

"It is something we will look at in our two training sessions before the game."

He will not finalise a starting line-up until today but it seems Steve Fitzsimmons, a standout performer in the 3-0 loss to Melbourne Victory on Monday night, will again claim an attacking defensive spot on the right.

"Stevie certainly justified his selection in that position," said Adshead. "He stood up and made his presence felt."

Apart from Hay and Emblen, Adshead said everyone in the squad was now available but, again, selection would largely depend on the system they went with after watching yesterday's training and some more in-depth video analysis.

In their three outings at North Harbour Stadium against Sydney FC, Perth Glory and Adelaide United, the Knights have shown glimpses of some half-decent form.

Failing to convert that into points has meant frustration for the players, the staff and the hardy fans.