KEY POINTS:
Waitakere United coach Chris Milicich can't wait for February to roll around.
He should be happy enough in having his team at the top of the New Zealand Football Championship, with the advantage of having two games in hand over his closest challengers, but he wants more, even if he is facing a potential selection dilemma.
The team he puts out tomorrow against Hawkes Bay United at Trusts Stadium will be handy enough but give him more time and he is confident he will, for the first time this season, be ready to unleash a full-strength outfit.
"We could have Neil Sykes back for Sunday but we may wait a little longer," said Milicich.
"Over the next few weeks we will also have Allan Pearce, Danny Hay, Jonathan Perry and Hone Fowler back from injury. It will be a nightmare trying to fit everyone in.
"I wouldn't want to play us in February."
There have been few changes in this week's transfer window.
Under-20 international Ian Hogg has switched camps and could play for the Bay against his old club tomorrow.
Former All White Che Bunce is back for the Bay after suspension to bolster a defence which can expect a torrid time from Roy Krishna, Benjamin Totori and Daniel Kopricvic. In two matches against Hawkes Bay last season, United slammed in eight unanswered goals.
In other changes at Waitakere, Milicich has signed defender John Chisholm from Otago United and promoted a couple of players from their youth academy.
Ninth round action starts at Kiwitea St this afternoon with the keenly-anticipated clash between Auckland City and Waikato FC with City at home for the first time since early last month. With no Grant Young the pressure will be on Keryn Jordan, Paul Urlovic and Milos Nikolic to add to the 12 goals the team has scored in seven outings thus far.
Joe Simpkins returns to the Waikato squad after minor injuries and versatile defender Michael Walters gets his first call up from coach Dave Edmondson to join his older brother, goalkeeper Greg, in the squad.
City hold second, by a narrow margin on goal difference from Waikato and YoungHeart Manawatu, and will be all out for the win which would take them to the top and put more pressure on Waitakere.
