Kelly and coach Malcolm Fleming have smoothed out the disciplinary problems that led to both Kelly and Robbie Deeley being dropped before the Canterbury match two weeks ago.
"Stu has apologised to me and the team, and I do not hold grudges. He has been training hard in midweek and so he is back in the mix for the Manawatu match," Fleming said.
The news is not so good for Deeley, as club officials said the midfielder had handed in his playing kit and would not play today. Both players were dropped by Fleming for staying out too late the night before a game.
The Otago squad will be focused on trying to gain the three points necessary to extend its season, and have a tilt at the NZFC trophy.
"It's not beyond us. But we need to play to our utter max to squeeze into what has become the most congested finish in the history of the NZFC."
The championship has never had such a tight finish, with five teams still capable of grabbing the two places available alongside Waitakere and Auckland.
In anticipation of a tight finish, the NZFC has already clarified guidelines to separate teams.
If two or more teams are level on points at the end of the season, they will be separated firstly on goal difference.
If they are still tied, teams are then separated by the most goals scored, then best in head-to-head results between teams, best goal difference in head-to-head results between tied teams, and fewest disciplinary points accrued.
If the teams can still not be separated after those criteria, it will go down to a toss of a coin or a drawing of lots.
Otago plays Manawatu at 4pm today in the only Saturday game and, depending on the result, it might simplify the log jam and clarify the table for tomorrow's matches, the most important of which is Wellington at home to Canterbury.
Both of those teams have 18 points, one more than Otago. United fans will hope for a draw in that match and a win for Otago at Carisbrook today.
Fleming has respect for Manawatu but hopes Otago can replicate the form it showed earlier this season in Palmerston North where two goals by Nathan Knox and another by Dane Ede earned Otago its biggest win of the season.
Unfortunately, Ede is out injured this week, as is reserve keeper Brian Brown.
Statistics favour Manawatu, which has won eight matches out of the past 15 encounters between the sides. There have been four draws.
Last season, Manawatu won 3-2 in Dunedin but scorer Corey Chettleburgh is now suspended.
Also missing are Vanuatu international striker Seule Soromon, and Daniel Benson.
The likes of Raf de Gregorio, Campbell Banks, Adam Cowan and former Otago player Colin Falvey form an impressive backbone to the Manawatu side.
If Otago is to finish with a flourish, it will need to find sustained good form, especially from senior players such as captain Tim Horner and keeper James Waggett.
Andy Coburn will soon bring up 100 games in the championship, and his experience is evident in his anchoring composure in midfield, where he has good understanding with the influential Kelly.
Dave Dugdale leads the blue attack with great mobility and has also struck up a handy partnership with Ben Light and the rangy Nathan Knox.
"We need a win, and we are capable of a win. We are training well, looking sharp and if we match our creative play with hard work off the ball we can progress further," Fleming said.
Tomorrow at 10 am at Carisbrook, Otago's under-20 team plays Wellington for the second week in a row. Last week in the capital the score was 0-0.
• OTAGO UNITED v MANAWATU
Today, 4pm, Carisbrook
Otago United (from): James Waggett, Mike Abbott, Tristan Prattley, Dave Shaw, Mike Smith, Tom Sadd, Stu Kelly, Ryan Faichnie, Dave Dugdale, Andy Coburn, James Reichwein, Cameron Burns, Tom Connor, Morgan Day, Tim Horner, Nathan Knox, Ben Light, Rhys Henderson, Harley Rodeka.
Manawatu (from): Ross Nicholson, Nobuyoshi Ishi, Colin Falvey, Josh Chettleburgh, Adam Cowan, Scott Robson, Michael Crisford, Nathan Cooksley, Marco Paracchini, Caleb Duncan, Raf de Gregorio, Desmond Faaiuaso, Takayuki Omi, Matt Borren, Campbell Banks.
