Coach Mike Fridge hopes a strengthened Southern United team might get back on track against Waitakere United in the ASB Premiership match at Fred Taylor Park in Auckland tomorrow.
Back from suspension, defenders Craig Ferguson and Andrew Ridden will certainly strengthen coach Fridge's options and injured midfielder Eder Franchini also managed a gentle run at midweek training and could front.
The Chilean midfielder was sorely missed last week and he hopes to play.
Also eyeing a return is key centreback Matt Joy, who has been absent for months.
''I am keen to get back on the field, and that could be as soon as a couple of weeks,'' he said.
Mike Neaverson is also trying to regain fitness, and aims at the same time scale as Joy.
Tom Connor has left Otago for a new job in Auckland, but the utility midfield/defender is likely to commute and continue to play for Southern.
Southern has let through too many goals recently, 10 in four matches, and needs to build a sound platform at the back to stabilise play.
The defence has been severely punished for mistakes, especially when the opposition regains early ball possession and in that transitional period gaps appear in the Southern backline.
Fridge was aiming for his side to get more rhythm into its play.
''We have a young team that can play very well in some phases of play,'' he said.
''But we lack consistency, and need to be more confident. The same applies to our attack. We do not shoot enough, and if you do not shoot, you are unlikely to score goals.''
Tomorrow's opponent, Waitakere United, has slightly fallen from grace, despite having won five ASB Premierships, and two Oceania Championships, coach Brian Shelley's club has been disappointing this season.
Losses to the likes of Southern United, Canterbury, Auckland, and Wanderers, have anchored the former champion just four points ahead of bottom placed Southern.
No doubt Waitakere will want to avenge that Southern 2-1 win in November, but the club's last result was a 2-0 loss to Wanderers, and a full strength Southern might just be able to grab three vital away points.
Southern v Waitakere
Auckland, tomorrow, 2pm
Southern United (from): Tom Batty, Craig Ferguson, Cam Attwood, George Milne, Taylor McCormack, Eder Franchini Pasten, Andrew Ridden, Thomas Jackson, Victor Da Costa, Tim McLennan, Liam Little, Morgan Day, Alistair Rickerby, Jude Fitzpatrick, Michael Neaverson, Will McIntyre, Lewis Jackson, Josh Stewart
Waitakere (from): Andy Boyens, Santiago Falbo, Chris Bale, Brian Shelley, Derice Richards, Nathan Bowen, Alec Solomons, Alex Carr, Tomas Biss, Tristan Prattley, Harshae Raniga, Dylan Manickum, Jake Butler
