The sight of All White Andy Boyens and former New Zealand under-20 international Michael Cunningham in Dunedin this week had Otago United administrators reaching for contracts.
Otago coach Malcolm Fleming was keen to sign the former Otago players for New Zealand Football Championship duty.
"The NZFC has a transfer window in January, but neither Andy nor Mike are available to play for us at this time. However, the club management and myself are examining a couple of candidates to strengthen our squad in 2010," Fleming said.
Andy Boyens is committed to a heavy schedule of coaching clinics in the southern region before he returns to the New York Red Bulls in the MLS, in which he has now played 56 matches.
Otago's squad looks a bit thin since star centreback Chris Jenkinson returned to the United Kingdom before Christmas, and injuries to defender Dave Shaw and striker Dave Dugdale have not helped.
Fleming said Dugdale had almost returned to match fitness, but he did not want to risk him by returning too early.
Shaw is also pretty close to returning.
Otago faces a string of difficult matches in the next few weeks.
Fleming's team travels to play Manawatu in Palmerston North today.
Next week, it is another tough trip to play Auckland, then a home match against Hawkes Bay, at Carisbrook.
"We need points from those matches or we could slide down the table.
Everyone enjoyed their Christmas break, and has returned looking fit and definitely up for this weekend's match.
"The lads trained particularly well at Logan Park this week, in hot, difficult conditions, with a full complement of players looking sharp and keen."
Fleming said Otago's creative midfielder Stu Kelly would remain in United's ranks, despite the skilful passer having travelled to Israel for professional trials during the holiday break.
Manawatu is second equal on the NZFC table, after winning matches against Hawkes Bay and Waikato and crushing Wellington 4-0, thanks to Vanuatuan striker Seule Soroman scoring all four goals.
But it has not played a game for nearly a month, as its game against Auckland City was deferred because the Auckland side was playing at the Fifa Club World Cup.
Top NZFC goal scorer Soroman could give Otago problems, and the miserly Manawatu defence is well led by Adam Cowan, who recently clocked up his 100th NZFC appearance.
Manawatu has history on its side.
It has never lost to Otago in Palmerston North, winning five times and drawing once.
Otago v Manawatu
Palmerston North, today, 1pm.
Otago: James Waggett , Tristan Prattley, Stu Kelly, Ryan Faichnie, Andy Coburn, James Reichwein, Dan Ede, Tom Connor, Tim Horner (captain), Nathan Knox, Mike Abbott, Substitutes: Tom Sadd, Brian Brown, Morgan Day, James Watson.
Manawatu: Ross Nicholson, Nobuyishi Ishi, Colin Falvey, Matt Kennedy, Nathan Cooksley, Seule Soromon, Adam Cowan, Scott Robson, Marco Paracchini, Raffaele de Gregorio, Takayuki Omi, Jimmy Haidakis, Cory Chettleburgh, Daniel Benson, Campbell Banks.
