Waitakere United coach Steve Cain is not exactly looking over his shoulder, but he is well aware the lead his team has been enjoying in the New Zealand Football Championship is under real threat.
Against Benjamin Totori-inspired YoungHeart Manawatu at Trusts Stadium this afternoon, Waitakere will be upagainst it given their injury and suspension toll.
"Of course we are well aware of the threat he [Totori] poses, but we are not going to make wholesale changes," said Cain, who is also quick to point to the 1-0 win his team took in their earlier [away] clash with the Shane Rufer-coached side.
"A 1-0 win like that is much easier on the heart," said Cain, who is still painfully aware of the manner in which his team threw away a 3-0 halftime lead to lose 4-3 to Auckland City in their last game before the Christmas break.
Waitakere are without some much-needed experience with captain Danny Hay still nursing rib and knee injuries. With fellow defender Rupesh Puna also sidelined and with Craig Wylie facing a late fitness test before learning whether he will play, Totori could increase his already unassailable lead in the golden boot race.
This weekend's round of matches come in the mid-season transfer window, but there has been little action.
Team Wellington have apparently taken a stand in denying Andy Barron the clearance he needs to play for Canterbury United against them today.
Under the rules, a club can insist on a 14-day stand-down period for a player transferring.
Waikato coach Roger Wilkinson has, however, been able to name newcomer Ross McKenzie after his transfer from Auckland City for tomorrow's match against City at Waikato Stadium. Wilkinson has also signed Cole Peverley and Darren White.
In the other match, Otago United meet Hawkes Bay United in a bottom-of-the-table clash in Dunedin today.
