By TERRY MADDAFORD
The appearance of players from the now-sidelined Football Kingz in National League teams could be seen either as an attempt to avoid relegation or, for those further up the table, a chance to push on for a top-four finish.
North Shore United, who have wriggled away from the
bottom of the table, have called in former international Riki Van Steeden as they mount an unlikely late charge.
Van Steeden will be opposed by fellow Kingz defender Jonathon Taylor in tomorrow's clash at Napier's Park Island.
But Shore have lost former Kingz striker Aaron Silva.
East Auckland have welcomed Kingz captain Chris Jackson to Bill McKinlay Park.
Jackson seems set to debut with his new club in tomorrow's home game against struggling Tauranga City.
The visitors will be encouraged to have Brett Derry and Shane Cunliffe close to a return from injury. Tomorrow's game might come too soon, however.
Leaders Central are away to Manawatu and will be without key defender Michael Ridenton for a game which Manawatu coach Colin Tuaa, who welcomes back Sanjay Singh, sees as a must-win.
After last week's 5-3 loss to Dunedin Technical, Central coach Billy Harris has told his players to "get back to the basics."
Tech are on the road for the third successive match. Tomorrow's game against Miramar Rangers gives them the chance to prove they can back up from the shock of the season in beating Central.
In the other round 13 game of the Southern Trust-sponsored league, Caversham are at home to Canterbury United, hoping to reverse their 4-1 first-round loss.
