Soccer: Knights down to two on the bench

John Adshead could need a medical report and quick head count before settling on a NZ Knights team to play Central Coast Mariners at North Harbour Stadium tonight.

When the likely starting line-up for the Hyundai A-League Pre-Season Cup clash was released yesterday, Adshead had only two names for his substitute's bench, including goalkeeper Glen Moss.

"Sickness, suspensions and injuries have really hit us," said Adshead. "Frank Van Eijs is doubtful after falling sick. He had blood tests done yesterday, and hopefully he might be able to sit on the bench.

"Noah Hickey turned his ankle last week and is still at least a week away as are Simon Yeo [groin strain] and Zeno Caravella [knee]. Naoki Imaya is still working on his fitness and getting over his broken leg.

"Darren Bazely is still not right. He has had an x-ray, which showed a slight tear. Danny Hay is suspended."

On the better news front, Josh Maguire gets his first start and will join Steve Fitzsimmons, Ben Collett and Josh Rose in midfield.

Rose gets his chance after an impressive showing off the bench in last week's 5-0 loss to Queensland Roar.

Adshead has resisted giving young Jeremy Brockie a start up front despite his encouraging effort as a substitute against Queensland.

In a change of roles, Xiaobin Zhang will start alongside Sean Devine up front with Brockie likely to get some game time.

The visitors have plenty to play for.

After beating Queensland 3-1 in the first round, the Central Coast side lost to Sydney FC 2-0 last week but know a win over the Knights will give them every chance of making the Cup semifinals.

In the other match in that pool today, Queensland meet Sydney in Cairns. LINE-UPS

Teams for tonight's match, which kicks-off at 7pm:

NZ Knights: Danny Milosevic, Cole Tinkler, John Tambouras, Neil Emblen, Ronnie Bull, Steve Fitzsimmons, Josh Maguire, Ben Collett, Josh Rose, Sean Devine, Xiaobin Zhang. Substitutes (likely): Glen Moss, Jeremy Brockie, Frank Van Eijs.

Central Coast Mariners (likely): John Crawley, Wayne O'Sullivan, Andrew Clark, Dean Heffernan/Damien Brown, Michael Beauchamp, Alex Wilkinson, Noel Spencer, Andre Gumprecht, Tom Pondeljak, Stewart Petrie, Nick Mrdja. Substitutes (from), Danny Vukovic, Heffernan/Brown, Matthew Osman.

Referee: Neil Fox.