Dunedin Technical will have to overcome the loss of star striker Aaron Burgess if it is to return to the final of the Chatham Cup.
Technical plays long-time Dunedin rival Caversham in a keenly anticipated fourth-round tie at the Caledonian today.
Last year, the goals of Burgess were a major factor in firing Technical into the Chatham Cup final, where it was beaten by East Coast Bays.
The former professional and this season's golden boot favourite will miss today's game as he is overseas, on a planned business trip.
Front-runner Alistair Rickerby will be charged with leading the Dunedin attack against a strong Caversham defence, including English import James Wagget in goal.
In a key individual battle, Dunedin Technical defensive linchpin Blair Scoullar, another former professional footballer, will be closely watching Caversham striker and former Liverpool elite academy prospect Tom Jackson.
Jackson has been in dazzling form and is coming off a five-goal haul in a premier league game.
New Caversham central defender Chris Jenkinson, fresh from a season in England's Unibond League with Goole Town and playing for England Universities, was expecting to be introducing himself in the first tackle to Burgess.
Technical coach Mike Fridge took this week's disrupted training preparation, due to waterlogged grounds, in his stride and said his side was ready for the game.
"Losing Aaron is a blow, but we've got very capable players ready to step up . . .
The Chatham Cup is special and all of our squad will be aiming for another trip to Auckland [for the final]."Caversham coach Steve Fleming will start with the same starting XI that dominated Mosgiel in the premier league last week.
Fleming conceded Technical had a slight advantage over Caversham in recent clashes and was the form team in the league this season.
League matches scheduled for the weekend include Mosgiel hosting Roslyn-Wakari at Memorial Park, Queenstown Rovers will have a tough road trip to Dunedin to play Northern, University by injury, illness and holidays trekking to Rugby Park to battle Barry Gardiner's Spirit team, and Grants Braes hosting sixth-placed Green Island.
Chatham Cup
Caledonian Ground, today, 2pm
Dunedin Technical (from): Cam Burns, Nick Dale, Tristan Prattley, Cam Parkin, George Milne, Darren Ford, Blair Scoullar, Alistair Rickerby, Riki Chidley, Sam Enright, Justin Flaws, Andy Coburn, Tom Rodden, James Govan.
Caversham (from): James Wagget, Mike Smith, Tim Horner, Chris Jenkinson, Jeremy Wild, Blair Duncan, Darren Overton, Robbie Deeley, Patrick Fleming, Tom Jackson, Dave Dugdale, Rhys Henderson, Tim Cook, Dave O'Donavan.
- Wilson James
