Soccer: It's going to be a hard road - Fallon

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Kevin Fallon is not expecting miracles in the Football Kingz' away match with the Melbourne Knights tonight.

In the week or so he has been coach of the Auckland-based team, Fallon has made changes, but he has warned the public not to expect a quick fix for the Kingz' problems.

The first suggestion of change has come with the team named to play the Knights.

Wynton Rufer, who played the second half of their latest game (the 2-1 win over Sydney United), did not travel to Melbourne on the early-morning flight yesterday.

Apparently sidelined with a calf strain, he has yet to train under Fallon.

Perhaps hinting at things to come, Fallon has called in rookies Lance Eeson and Campbell Banks who will be on the bench tonight, with one or other certain to get some game time.

Chris Jackson, who missed the United game while waiting for international clearance, gets a start and will play either in midfield or as part of a rejigged defence.

George Goutzioulis returns from suspension in place of Leigh Kenyon who, with Tim Stevens, has been released by Fallon.

Hiroshi Miyazawa has been relegated from the starting Xl to the bench, and Vinko Buljubasic is staying at home.

Andy Vlahos will serve out the second match of his two-match suspension this week. Captain Sean Douglas and midfielder Gerard Davis are hampered by hamstring injuries but could be ready for next week's home game against Northern Spirit.

"It was a close call but in the end the Japanese lad [Miyazawa] got the nod over Buljubasic for a place on the bench," Fallon said.

"With Wynton injured, I have taken the opportunity to introduce Banks and Eeson. They have done well at training. I see them as young, exciting players who I feel can give me something."

Fallon has watched the Knights on video and planned to sit down with the Kingz in Melbourne for a second look.

"They will have a relaxing day when we get there," he said. "They have had a hard week and the only other work we will do will be a very light session on Friday morning."

Tonight's game kicks off at 9.30 (NZ time).

Football Kingz: James Bannatyne, Jonathan Perry, Levent Osman, Riki Van Steeden, Mark Atkinson, Chris Jackson, George Goutzioulis, Harry Ngata, Mark Burton, John Markovski, Paul Urlovic. Substitutes: Michael Theoklitos, Hiroshi Miyazawa, Lance Eeson, Campbell Banks.

Melbourne Knights (likely): Martin John, Joey Rajher, Rodrigo Vargas, Sasa Ognenovski, Andrew Marth, Daniel Vasilevski, Joel Porter, Antonio Da Costa, Xhezair Sulemani, Daniel Piorkowski, Andy Vargas. Substitutes: Daniel McGrath, Alex Kiratzoglou, Daniel Rocco, Joe Tricarico.