Soccer: Series of injuries a setback for Kingz

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Just when the Football Kingz were looking good for a mid-season charge, injuries have again forced changes to their line-up.

Gerard Davis and Chris Jackson, key players in last week's 1-0 home win over Sydney Olympic, were left behind when the team flew out yesterday afternoon for Melbourne and tonight's clash with bottom-placed Eastern Pride in Morwell.

Assistant coach Shane Rufer said the need to make changes was disappointing. "Everything was going well until the last few minutes of training on Thursday when Chris Jackson, Jeff Campbell and Riki Van Steeden all pulled up."

Gerard Davis was already in doubt with a quad muscle strain.

While Andy Bluhm will return - in a straight midfield swap for Davis - after missing last week's game following a car accident, the loss of fullback Jackson has caused concern.

It has persuaded coach Wynton Rufer to take Che Bunce, Jonathan Perry and Michael Cartwright across the Tasman.

One of the trio will join Levent Osman and Sean Douglas in the defence.

Wynton Rufer will not start tonight. Dennis Ibrahim will return to the fray to join Paul Urlovic in a two-pronged attack.

"It is a difficult trip to play Eastern Pride," Shane Rufer said. "The plane trip is between three and four hours and then there is 2 1/2 hours on the bus. We plan to train when we get there and will name the team after that."

The Kingz can expect a warm reception, and not just from the fans. Temperatures are expected to reach 40 degrees before the 7.30 pm kick-off.

Eastern Pride coach Jeff Hopkins, despite his team's poor start, remains optimistic.

"There is still time to turn our season around," Hopkins said. "But if we are to do that, we must start winning at home."

Likely Kingz line-up: Simon Eaddy, Michael Cartwright, Levent Osman, Sean Douglas, Noah Hickey, Mark Burton, Harry Ngata (captain), Andy Bluhm, Aaran Lines, Paul Urlovic, Dennis Ibrahim. Substitutes: Chris Marsh, Che Bunce, Jonathan Perry, Wynton Rufer.