Soccer: Things no easier for Knights

Hit hard off the field this week, the New Zealand Knights might cop it on the pitch at North Harbour Stadium tonight.

Facing a much-fancied Melbourne Victory side who struggle to buy a point at home these days and have gone their last four games without scoring a goal, there is every prospect the hapless Knights will experience the backlash.

The the Knights will be without captain Danny Hay while key Victory striker Archie Thompson may play despite earlier injury doubts.

In naming his team for the Hyundai A-League clash, Knights coach John Adshead said Darren Bazeley would lead the side. Good news for the Aucklanders was that defenders Cole Tinkler and John Tambouras passed late fitness tests and will contest a spot in the rearguard.

Both missed last week's battling 1-0 loss in Adelaide but will come into contention along with Bazeley and Frank van Eijs in the yet-to-be-named starting XI.

Asked whether in Hay's absence there would be a change in formation, Adshead said he had looked for a better platform at the back.

"It worked reasonably well. Unfortunately we now have a change of personnel. But as I have said all along, this side is flexible," said Adshead.

"They have to defend solidly when the opposition has the ball but also have to have the ability to get forward."

On attack there will also be changes, with Simon Yeo likely to be pressed into service on his sooner-than-expected return from a knee injury.

Like Melbourne, the Knights are struggling to score, with recent signing Kris Bright yet to find the net.

"Hopefully Yeo will start but I'm not sure who with," said Adshead. "It could be Bright or Devine."

That suggests that Jeremy Brockie might be given a different role.

"Brockie is proving to be such a versatile player we have been able to change his responsibilities.

"He could play midfield if we feel that's where we, as a team, are going to get best value."

But in dropping Brockie back he will be expected to play a greater defensive role - not his strongest suit - at the loss of some of the attacking flair he brings.

Adshead said if Thompson did not play it would not make the task any easier.

"That just gives younger players like Kristian Sarkies the chance which I'm sure they'll take.

"It promises to be a hell of a game for both teams. They haven't done well for five matches - it's double that for us."

Of the Hay issue and its likely implications, Adshead said none of the players had brought the subject up.

"We'll give Danny a few days," said Adshead after training yesterday. "By this time next week our pre-Christmas season will be over. Then we can sit down and start looking at a whole lot of things."

The first two matches in the 14th round were played overnight. The remaining fixture - the key clash between leaders Adelaide United and Sydney FC - will be played tomorrow night.