Reds below full strength

September 5 2008

Shepparton News

Injuries to playing coach Andy Ingham and defender David Davkovski have set Shepparton a tough task against Cobram Victory in Sunday's North Eastern Soccer League qualifying final.

Despite winning the minor premiership by five points, Shepparton's injury and suspension-affected team will come up against a Cobram Victory outfit expecting to recall three of its strongest 11.

Ingham received bad news from MRI scans this week and will start on the bench as he tries to manage a knee injury.

Davkovski has returned to training after breaking his arm but was also ruled out of the starting 11 by his coach.

Troy Kennedy will come into Shepparton's senior team this week, adding physical presence to what Ingham expects will be a tight encounter.

``Last time (a 1-1 draw) was a cagey affair with the teams not giving much away,'' Ingham said.

``We know each other pretty well now and how tough these games can be.''

Cobram Victory coach Gianfranco Impellizzeri is expecting its absentees from last week _ defender Nathan Thomas, winger Raymond Diramacca and forward Nick Mantovani _ to be in line for selection.

Victory will enjoy home-town advantage, with the match being played at Cobram Showgrounds.

Shepparton South and Shepparton United both take season-best form into their elimination final at Mercury Dve on Saturday.

South coach Serkan Aktas is confident his team's improved concentration in defence can hold out a United side expecting Chris Ogboke to return from injury to partner fellow United Kingdom import Bruce Hogg.

South captain Luke Nardella will return to the Southerners' starting line-up after being protected last week to avoid a suspension-incurring yellow card.

Aktas said to expect big things from play-making midfielder Rossi Lagana, in strong form after overcoming a knee injury that dogged his first half of the season.