Promising striker Jorge Akers and keeper Liam Outtrim have been called in to the Hawke's Bay United football team for tomorrow's Stirling Sports Premiership encounter against Waitakere United in Auckland.
Thirsty Whale Hawke's Bay United coach Brett Angell said the pair had been promoted from the franchise's youth squad in the wake of the suspensions handed out to captain Fin Milne and fellow defender, New Zealand under-20 rep Sean Liddicoat, after the 6-4 away loss to Hamilton Wanderers on December 18.
"Both boys played well for the youth team and have benefited from our Central Football programmes. Depending on circumstances they could get some game time this weekend," Angell said.
Outtrim will provide cover for second-string keeper Ruben Parker who is unavailable with a shoulder injury. Akers is a son of former All Whites player Marty Akers.
That Hamilton match was the Bay's last outing and Angell agreed it had been an agonising wait for his troops, who are keen to redeem themselves.