Missing some key players today, City are eager to have top goal scorer Anthony Bell back in the fold.
While Whanganui's travelling teams in the Central Football competitions will want to hit today's resumption of regular league play nice and fresh, there is some small doubt that permeates their preparations.
Eager to reassert themselves on top of the Horizons Premiership after the week's bye, the Big Orange Wanganui City 1sts head to Celaeno Park to meet a Palmerston North Boys High team which has been quietly going about its business since they lost 3-0 at Wembley Park in April, now sitting third with a 5-2-3 record.
This includes a 3-2 victory in their last Premiership encounter against Breakers RSM Rovers - the only team to beat City this year.
"We watched them play for 15 minutes against Red Sox when we were in Palmerston North," said City coach Kelvin Francis.
"They moved the ball well. They got three goals, which they weren't doing before. It will be an interesting game."
The coach's wish that his players take it easy on their free weekend to avoid injury proved unfortunately prophetic as superstar defender Adrian Ngaau injured one calf in a local league match, and despite favouring it would then hurt the other at Tuesday training.
As one of his best and most determined players, Francis knows Ngaau would have to be in a pretty bad way to not front this afternoon.
"I said, 'if you're not at least 80 per cent, stay home, and he called to say 'I'd be pushing 50 per cent'.
"That is not like him, as he will play through pain."
In addition, City have been rocked by Central's four week suspension of Kyle Graham-Luke for a reported incident in the narrow win over Feilding United three weeks ago.
With seven goals this campaign, Graham-Luke has been stepping up since the departure of other players to Palmerston North and the quad strain to Anthony Bell.
"Certainly not my choice, but we had no option to protest," Francis said.
"We got the bodies, but we're short on experience."
Therefore, the return of top goal scorer Bell for his first game in several weeks is extremely welcome news for Francis, who was going to finalise his starting lineup this morning.
He was looking at a midfield of Simon Petersen and Jack Jonas, while using older brother Josh Jonas at the back with Latham Berry, while Cameron Hussey will start off the bench after just coming back from Nelson
In any case, Francis was pleased to see the intensity return to training with this week, with the movement and chatter at the same level as when City were running roughshod over everybody earlier in the campaign.
Stamping their authority will be necessary against a PNBHS 1st XI who will only get more eager if they get a sniff of a chance.
"We've got to dictate terms to them, that's how you play school kids - go hard and go hard early," said Francis.
Now holding down a tenuous second spot on the Lotto Federation League, although the other Top 3 teams in Havelock North and New Plymouth Rangers both have games in hand, Devon Homes Wanganui Athletic 1sts played through the break and have to keep building with fourth-placed Gisborne Thistle stepping off the bus at Wembley Park.
Playing through the solstice always throws up challenges when it comes to squad strength as no-one is immune to the dreaded lurgi, from coach Jason King on down.
"[Training] wasn't quite the intensity that I'm after, but the weather is playing havoc with people's health at the moment," King said.
Still, his players can rug up for the morning before heading to the park after a good home lunch - unlike the Thistle who choose to do their long away games the hard way.
While Athletic stayed both Friday and Saturday evening in Gisborne for their April 29 matchup - a 2-0 win - Gisborne make it an all-Saturday round trip.
"Not something I'd wish on anybody," said King.
"Six hours travel [is] seven on a bus - that's a hike.
"We still have to play the game as if it's the first time we've played them.
"They will be coming over to prove a point. This is still a bit of a derby for us, despite the long distance.
"There's something about when we play Gisborne, there seems to be a little more to it.
"They're coming off a substantial win [over Havelock]. It was a good battle last time and I'm hoping they bring over a strong team."
Continuing his rotation policy, King will be giving a chance to a couple more GVCA Athletic Reserves players in 1sts competition today, especially as this will be the last match from Quinn Mailman for five weeks as he heads to England for a family holiday.
Jake Simcox may get a chance to start, while Kelvin Hove takes on more responsibility in the absence of injured brother Raymond, and the third brother Takudzwa Hove is finally ready to make his comeback from a foot injury, being eased back in the Reserves lineup for their game with North End at Skoglund Park today.
If King can have Raymond back from his fracture in around a month as hoped, he may yet get his dream of having an all-Hove midfield.
"It will be really good to have them back."
The Reserves vs North End clash should be a tight affair, with the Reserves having a slightly better record, including a 5-2 victory at Wembley Park on April 15.
All games start 2.45pm.