Injury worries have eased for Otago but it will have to find a new fullback and lock for its final hit-out of the season against Counties-Manukau at Carisbrook on Saturday.
With three players leaving the field last Saturday against Tasman with what looked like serious injuries, and then three players off on All Black duty, the Otago ranks appeared thin for the match against the competition cellar dweller.
Lock-loose forward Hoani Matenga is one player who is unlikely to play on Saturday, having pulled his hamstring a few minutes after coming on to replace lock Hayden Triggs last week.
Triggs left the field with a shoulder problem but Otago assistant coach Bruce Carvell said yesterday he is expected to be available.
Otago first five-eighth Glenn Dickson left the field on Saturday after taking a nasty knock to the head, and was suspected to have suffered a concussion.
But Carvell said he had been cleared although he has a broken nose and a black eye.
Wingers Fetu'u Vainikolo and Ryan Shortland missed last week's game because of knee and hamstring injuries respectively.
Vainikolo is still favouring his knee and did not train yesterday but Shortland appears to be improving and may be available to play on Saturday.
Centre Brett Mather has improved from a hip flexor problem and should be in line for a recall this week.
With Matenga out and Tom Donnelly away with the All Blacks, Seko Kalou will most likely start at lock alongside Triggs.
If Triggs does not make it, then No 8 Paul Grant, who had an outstanding game against Tasman last Saturday, may have to move forward to the locking position.
More complicated is who will replace Ben Smith at fullback.
With no straight forward candidate in the squad, Charlie Hore may be moved to the back or Dickson could play in the No 15 position.
Flanker Eben Joubert is likely to come into the side to replace All Black flanker Adam Thomson, who is away on All Black duty.
With the competition three rounds longer than last year, it is difficult to find replacements with Otago B and under-age sides having finished playing nearly a month ago.
Counties-Manukau is in last place in the Air New Zealand Cup with two wins. Otago is in 10th position.
