Fears that Matt Joy might have broken his leg last weekend against Wellington have been allayed but the Southern United centreback will not play against Canterbury tomorrow.
Assistant coach Darren Hart said Joy had ''a severe leg strain'' and was ''likely to be out for the rest of the season''.
There are five ASB Premiership matches left, the last in Invercargill on February 23 against Wanderers.
United has had little luck with injuries to key players, from former Kiev midfielder Patrick Ebanda to, more recently, Brazilian striker Henrique Viana and defenders Peter Overmire and Joy. Sam Mepham is also unavailable.
Coach Luiz Uehara gave a shrug of the shoulders when he discussed the injury list.
''These things happen. We train hard at Tahuna, and of course in competition matches I expect full commitment.
''The good news is that Peter Overmire is back from injury this week, as well as Peter Rae, Logan Wrightwebb, and Geordie Mansford, so possibly the balance is maintained and we look forward to the match in Canterbury.''
A game-breaker for Southern could be Regan Coldicott, whose return last week was a revelation. He showed pace to actually run round defenders, and enough technique to get shots on target.
German defender Jacob Schneider has also been a bonus pushing forward on the right, and his vision and finishing power, with a second-minute goal, inspired United to a near match-winning performance against Wellington last week.
Classy stuff, but as Ferenc Puskas once said: ''Concert pianists are all very well, but some people have to carry in the piano.''
Last week's point was built as much on perspiration as inspiration. Morgan Day combined both qualities with a heady match in central midfield, and rampaging Andrew Ridden tackled like a tank and might have won the match with his floating shot that landed just over the roof of Wellington's net.
Cam Attwood challenged heartily in the air and on the deck, as did Cam Higgins, and Nick Hindson defended well, with the extra ingredient of blistering pace in counterattack. Southern is capable of upsetting Canterbury, but it will need a top team effort to upset coach Keith Braithwaite's side, which is gunning for honours.
Canterbury is stacked with experience, from classy All White Aaron Clapham in midfield to the continental ball skills of Uruguayan Federico Marques and Chilean Pablo Moya.
The squad also includes South Americans, English, Irish, Scots and Welsh players and a few Kiwis, in a blend that is highly effective.
Canterbury started poorly, with early shock losses to Waikato-BOP (2-1) and Hawkes Bay (1-0) and a 2-2 draw with Wanderers, but is now second in the ASB Premiership after six straight unbeaten matches.
Braithwaite's teams always have a solid defensive base, and centreback Tom Schwarz has led the tightest defence in the league, conceding only eight goals in 10 matches.
''All games between Canterbury and Otago in any sport are always tough encounters. This game is no different,'' Braithwaite said.
At Tahuna Park today, the Southern United youth team plays Wairarapa at 1pm.
Southern v Canterbury: Christchurch, tomorrow, 2pm
Southern United: Tom Batty, Nicholas Hindson, Regan Coldicott, Aajay Cunningham, Taylor McCormack, Peter Rae, Jefferson Potrich, Logan Wrightwebb, Morgan Day, Geordie Mansford, Daniel Morris, Campbell Higgins, Jacob Schneider, Andrew Ridden, Campbell Attwood.
Canterbury: Pieter Bierma, Dan Terris, Danny Boys, Julyan Collett, Tom Schwarz, Chris Murphy, Michael White, Aaron Clapham, Russell Kamo, Stuart Kelly, Federico Marquez, Pablo Moya, Kris O'Neill, Steve Morrison, Dan Schwarz, Shawn O'Brien, Adam Highfield, Cory Mitchell.
