Injuries hamper opener

MURRAY WILSON/The Manawatu Standard

FIGHT FOR POSSESSION: Manawatu players Takayuki Omi, left, and Josh Chettleburgh, centre, contest possession.

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Injuries to three key players have hampered YoungHeart Manawatu's preparation for their first national league game tomorrow against Team Wellington in the capital.

Englishman James Thomas has a hamstring strain, Desmond Faaiuaso is out and Raf de Gregorio has an adductor muscle complaint. He will be on the bench at best.

Thomas and de Gregorio were likely starters for this weekend's clash but YoungHeart coach Bob Sova said it was the reality of sport.

"That's why you have a squad," he said. "Of course it's a bit disappointing that the big guns are out, but so be it."

They are expected to be sidelined for two weeks and may miss the first home game against Waikato on November 15.

North End defender Graham Craven is also out with a groin strain but he wasn't expected to be in the starting side.

Red-Sox Manawatu midfielder Mikey Crisford is unavailable due to work commitments.

Three weeks ago Team Wellington beat YoungHeart 3-1 in a pre-season game at Memorial Park, which was played over three-40 minute periods.

Sova acknowledged Wellington had a good pre-season but that counted for little when things get under way proper.

"They beat us, they beat Hawke's Bay 2-0. If you're in the Wellington camp, you'd be pretty confident.

"Pre-season is different from the league. We made 10 changes in the pre-season game."

Youngheart's other warm-up match was against a Wellington Phoenix outfit missing their All Whites, where they showed promise but were beaten 2-0.

He said the side's preparation had been as good as time allowed.

"We are still a little bit underdone but probably all the teams are. No-one really gets a lot of preparation in this league.

"That's why the league is always harder and faster after Christmas."

With the league having a shorter round-robin again this year, starting well will be important for YoungHeart.

They haven't beaten Wellington in the capital since 2006.

Team Wellington didn't show a lot in their pre-season win over YoungHeart but the win will have filled them with confidence.

Seule Soromon will be a key player up front for YoungHeart and if they can provide him with good service, he will be a likely source of goals.

Wellington have an experienced line-up with All Whites' goalkeeper James Bannatyne, midfielder Andy Barron and former Phoenix striker Greg Draper on deck. Draper is awaiting a late clearance to allow him to play, but he is expected to be available.

Teams:

YoungHeart Manawatu: (from) Ross Nicholson (GK), Nobuyoshi Ishi, Matt Smith, Colin Falvey, Matt Kennedy, Nathan Cooksley, Seule Soromon, Adam Cowan, Scott Robson, Takayuki Omi, Jimmy Haidakis, Cory Chettleburgh, Daniel Benson, Campbell Banks, Matt Borren (GK).

Wellington: (from) James Bannatyne (GK), Adam Birch, Chris Bale, Michael Winsauer, Chris Davies, Cole Peverley, Greg Draper, Jyler Noviello, Bryan Little, Karl Whalen, Darren Cheriton, Trent Watson, Andy Barron, Michael Fifii, Jake Gleeson (GK), Rod Brown (GK).

- © Fairfax NZ News