Giancarlo Italiano is ready for his A-League Men home coaching debut against Perth Glory, but there's doubt as to whether David Ball will join him for Wellington Phoenix.
After first-up draws, both sides are chasing their first win of the season at Sky Stadium on Saturday.
Italiano, with a lean squad packed with youngsters, may have to get creative with his attacking setup.
With Luke Supyk, Ben Old and Oskar van Hattum either injured or not ready, all eyes are on Ball as to whether he can overcome a painful hip complaint to start.
"He puts his body on the line every game. He's the ultimate professional in that he'll run through a brick wall for you," Italiano said.
"He played on one leg against Wanderers, and I prefer players with two legs.
"There is ongoing pain in his hips. So it's more about how much soreness presents ... sometimes it does flare up, so it's ongoing, every week is a different scenario."
Ball has performed heroics since moving to New Zealand in 2019, while playing through the pain with a lingering toe injury in the 2021/22 campaign to push the Phoenix into the finals.
He managed an hour in a first-up 0-0 draw against Western Sydney, when young gloveman Alex Paulsen was Wellington's best.
Paulsen steps into the position vacated by former teammate Oli Sail, Wellington's former captain who moved to Perth in the off-season.
Italiano said any inside information Sail had on the club would be limited given the new coaching setup.
"His knowledge is of the players but he wouldn't know anything about the system and what's going on in the dressing room, so for me it's not a significant factor," he said.
Alen Stajcic will meanwhile return to the site of his memorable Women's World Cup victory when he led the Philippines to a historic first senior tournament win over New Zealand in July.
Stajcic brought the Glory to New Zealand on Tuesday for a long warm-up stint, saying the trip "feels more like international duty and it's been good to spend a bit of time together".
The match is the 50th between the teams with the Nix claiming 19 wins to Perth's 20, meaning Italiano can tie the ledger if he gets a victory on his home debut.
Italiano said fan input would be crucial.
"I'd love to see a turnout to support the boys," he said.
"Even if its five, six, seven thousand, as long as they're singing the whole game - for me, that's the main thing. It's about creating the atmosphere."
