Under-strength Force face Papakura

North Force face a tough challenge today as they look to build on their unbeaten start to the Lotto NRFL 2015 Division 2 season.

However, key striker Steve Schimmel, midfielder Scott Burgess and defender Mark Ruddell are all out for today's clash against Papakura City with injuries.

North Force coach Russell Baddeley says the injury count will "make the job tougher," and that the final result "could go both ways". "It provides an opportunity for other players to step up," he says.

One player who will be in the fray for a premier grade starting debut will be Kyle Levell.

"He's been banging out goals for the reserves," Baddeley says.

"He's [now] scored 10 goals from the last four games."

North Force's fellow promotion hopefuls Papakura City have made a strong start to the season and sit third on the table, two spots beneath their Northern rivals.

Papakura will be well aware that a win will see them join North Force at the top of the ladder.

Schimmel is out of the match nursing a shoulder injury, while Burgess is "touch and go" after picking up a niggle a few weeks ago.

North Force are sweating on the availability of key defender Ruddell for this fixture.

On the plus side of the Northland side's injury woes, defender Craig Oldridge joined the squad from Claudelands Rovers last week and has fitted straight in.

Oldridge will no doubt help the under-strength North Force side to put on a strong defensive performance once again.

North Force
Leon Jarman-Taylor, Nathan Steel, Andrew Dunn, Ben Porter, Aaron Taylor, Jeremy Rintoul (c), Jason Teal, Murray Wootten, Junior Kaiarake, Steve Crowley, Kyle Levell, Craig Oldridge, Thomas Berry.