Soccer: Auckland City field new-look front line

Grant Young's holiday in his homeland puts the pressure on his Auckland City team-mates in today's New Zealand Football Championship away clash with Napier City.

Young, with a hat-trick in his last outing and nine goals so far this season, is in second place behind fellow South African Waitakere United's Keryn Jordan (11) on the goalscoring list.

Paul Urlovic, next best among the Auckland City strikers with six, is also missing (through injury) leaving newcomer Brad Scott to join Reg Davani in a new-look strikeforce.

Coach Allan Jones has kept his squad in work over the break, mainly to give Scott and other new signings Glenn Eie and John Eley the chance to train with established players.

These teams met in the first NZFC match in October, with Auckland winning 3-1 away.

Despite their 3-0 home win over Otago in their pre-Christmas outing, Napier will again be hard-pressed to upset the odds.

Canterbury will welcome captain Ben Sigmund back after missing seven of the first 11 games through injury for this afternoon's home game with YoungHeart Manawatu.

"With the return after injury of Ben Sigmund, Matt Ayloff, Robbie Barraclough and Halem Geor the squad has a far more solid look about it," said Canterbury United coach Danny Halligan.

Manawatu coach Colin Tuaa, reflecting on his team's three wins and five losses, said: "Both teams will be fired up for this crucial clash as we both need a win to stay in touch with the leaders."

Otago United are at home to Team Wellington with both teams fielding shuffled line-ups.

Otago have lost goalkeeper Lutz Pfannenstiel to Germany and are still without livewire midfielder Michael Eisenhut, while Wellington have Michael Wilson on a one-match suspension but have David Johnston as a ready-made replacement.

The 12th round is completed tomorrow with Waitakere United at home to Waikato FC in a match where funds will be raised for the South Asian tsunami appeal.

With Jason Rowley, Stuart Hogg, Hone Fowler and Nadir Harrat headed away with the national under-20 side, coach Chris Milicich has made a few changes.

Gerard Davis and Jeremy Christie are back after injury, while Noah Hickey is named on the bench.

Strikers Jordan and Allan Pearce, formerly of Lincoln City in England, will ensure a busy time for Waikato goalkeeper Mark Fulcher, who holds his place over Michael Utting.