Young Australian defender Steve O'Dor will start at right back for the Wellington Phoenix against the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford tonight, following Steven Old's late withdrawal from the touring party.
Old, who overcame a hesitant start in the unfamiliar role against Melbourne Victory in their season opener,
has been laid low by the flu.
O'Dor, who was not considered for that game following his late return from international duty with the Australian Olympic side, steps in for tonight's game.
The Phoenix will otherwise be unchanged, with Glen Moss again in goal as Mark Paston takes a mandatory two-week break after being concussed in training late last week.
The Mariners beat the New Zealanders 2-0 in their Pre-Season Cup clash on the coast, but neither coach is reading much into that result.
As the only team to win in the opening round - 1-0 away at Sydney - Lawrie McKinna's side go into tonight's game as early Hyundai A-League leaders.
Interestingly, the minor premiers in the first two seasons, Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory, also won first-up in those years and went on to take the round-robin title.
While Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert will almost certainly stick with the same bench he used on Sunday, he has taken the fourth of his Brazilian players, midfielder George, to Gosford and may be tempted to give him some game time.
