The thrill of playing at Forsyth Barr Stadium will not apply to Otago United captain Tristan Prattley, who has been declared unfit for tomorrow's match with Waitakere United.
Coach Richard Murray was shocked when a scan of Prattley's cheekbone found a fracture that will sideline the talented defender for three weeks.
"Tristan was attending an Olympic selection trial in Auckland, and the medics arranged a scan when they saw the black eye and bruising he sustained in the Wellington match," Murray said. "He is a key part of our defensive unit, which would have been short anyway, since Southlander Craig Ferguson is suspended after two yellow cards, also in the Wellington match.
"Small things can haunt you. The referee judged a skewed clearance as a passback to keeper Peter Evans, and the resultant push and shove in a crowded goal mouth earned Craig a yellow card.
"So we are without two key members of our defensive backline."
The race is on to complete transfer paperwork this weekend to plug gaps in United's squad. Keeper Osvaldo Rodriguez has been drafted from Invercargill Old Boys to replace Callum Flaws, who is no longer available.
Mosgiel striker Reagan Coldicott has also been recruited to add punch to the Otago strike force, and tall left-sided defender Liam Lockhart is a natural replacement for Prattley.
Murray's cup of woe overflowed when another of Otago's few strikers, Donnie MacGregor, pulled up with a hamstring strain, and he will require a late fitness test.
"Not the preparation we wanted when you are about to face a Waitakere side that already has several tough games under its belt - including a 10-0 win in the Oceania League over Tahitian club FC Tefana.
"We will have to try and frustrate them by working very hard, and closing down their passing options, while hoping to pinch a goal and unsettle them."
The northern side's unbeaten run over Otago United stretched to 14 matches at the end of last season, with Neil Emblen's side notching 3-1 and 2-1 victories. Waitakere has five wins and two draws from its previous seven visits to Dunedin.
Waitakere coach Neil Emblen said his team was "looking forward to playing at the new stadium and are hoping to keep our momentum going after two good wins.
"Otago had a good start against Wellington and regardless of what stadium we play at in Dunedin, we have never had an easy game down there.
"Some good talent has been recruited in the off season and there seems like a good feeling in their camp, so we will have to play well to come away with the points.
"I do feel, though, that if we can sustain our form, we will be hard to stop. I'm also looking forward to meeting another young coach in Richard Murray and talking football with him on Sunday."
It is a big weekend for football in Dunedin. Apart from the senior game, there is also a youth league game today at Tahuna Park, against Manawatu, which may allow new United signings to get a run.
Tomorrow, an early 11am kick-off against Central will allow supporters of the Footballsouth women to watch their team, which has shown plenty of flair but needs to back that up with consistency this weekend.
Otago v Waitakere
Forsyth Barr Stadium, tomorrow, 2pm
Otago United: Peter Evans, Liam Lockhart, Jude Fitzpatrick, Matt Joy, Morgan Day, Seamus Ryder, Donnie Macgregor, Ant Hancock, Sam Mepham, Darren Overton, Harley Rodeka, Zac Rathbone, Michael Cunningham, Joel Stevens, Andrew Ridden, Tom Connor, Nick Hindson.
Waitakere United: Danny Robinson, Jason Rowley, Aaron Scott, Tim Myers, Martin Bullock, Chris Bale, Allan Pearce, Ross Mckenzie, Roy Krishna, Gagame Feni, Jake Butler, Ryan De Vries, Luke Adams, Sean Lovemore, Bill Tuiloma, Louie Caunter.
