From today's Press:Injuries ravage Dragons for South Island derby against Southern United
Shane Wenzlick/Fairfax NZ
ATTACKING BOOST: Former Auckland City and Waitakere striker Adam Dickinson will make his first start for a depleted Canterbury United tomorrow in Dunedin.
Canterbury United have a horror injury situation on their hands ahead of tomorrow's ASB Premiership clash against Southern United in Dunedin.
Coach Sean Devine, a former English professional, joked it was so bad he almost contemplated dusting off the boots himself.
The Dragons have five players out through injury, while several others will miss the clash under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Defender Julyan Collett is the most severe of the injuries.
Collett, who bravely stayed on the park last week after rupturing his medial collateral ligament, is out for the next four to six weeks.
Canterbury will also be without midfielders Miles John (groin), Mark Peers (calf) and defender Anthony Jones (foot). Striker Ash Wellbourn has made himself unavailable for the rest of the campaign to recover from a string of niggly injuries.
Youngster Rossi Nkoy won't be back this season either, returning to Auckland for personal reasons. Central midfielder Tom Boss, who has started in every match this season, is away tomorrow.
"We've got to move forward. Out of adversity comes opportunity," Devine said.
"Some of these boys will get their opportunity and maybe they can put a good performance in and keep their place."
New recruit Adam Dickinson, who debuted off the bench in last week's 4-3 loss to WaiBop United, will start up front.
Shawn O'Brien and Mario Hoffman will operate on the flanks with Aaron Clapham, Stu Kelly and Cory Mitchell running the show in the midfield.
The Schwarz twins, Tom and Dan, Pablo Moya and Dan Terris will anchor the defence.
Aaron Spain, Ryan Stanley, Jacob Allen, Andreas Wilson and goalkeeper Danny Knight, who have a combined 11 ASB Premiership caps, form a young bench.
"It will be good to see [Dickinson] get a start. He made a major difference when he came on last week. This is the sort of player, if we're going to be serious, that we need to start attracting to the region next season," Devine said.
Despite last week's loss, Canterbury remain in fifth place - just one point off the top four.
On a congested ASB Premiership ladder, Canterbury will be desperate to bounce back with a win over bottom-placed Southern United.
The Dragons' next two games are against top sides Auckland City and Team Wellington.
Southern have had the edge over Canterbury this season, upsetting them 1-0 in Christchurch in November and also winning the pre-season contest.
"It's not going to be easy. They're in need of points. We've just got to match their work ethic and commitment. Hopefully we can get the three points."
Canterbury have disappointed in games they should win this season. Devine said it was a topic the players had spoken about.
"It's been a factor for a few seasons. We seem to perform against the top sides in the league but we seem to struggle against the sides which aren't as technically as good or don't have the depth of the Aucklands or Team Wellingtons."
