Perth Glory 4 - 1 New Zealand Knights

Perth Glory v New Zealand Knights: Preview

Updated: December 14, 2006, 10:25 AM UK

Tipping off everyone, including Newcastle, he intended to play skipper Jamie Harnwell in an unaccustomed forward role, any element of surprise for the Jets would have reduced by reading the local paper on the morning of the game.

This week, ahead of Sunday's crucial home game against New Zealand in Perth (kick-off 4pm WST), Smith is keeping his cards very close to his chest.

A closed training session on Friday was followed by a cryptic media appearance, where the normally candid coach was giving little away about his formation for the bottom-placed Knights.

"I just didn't want have to defend all sorts of speculation is all. I wanted to try a few things out this morning, and I didn't want too many people watching that is all," Smith said.

"It is a really important game for us, and I think you need to be prepared for eventualities."

With Glory sitting seventh, two points adrift of the three clubs above them, the importance of claiming maximum points against the Knights was not lost on Smith.

"We are two points behind three other teams, ... so if we can win on the weekend, we are right in the frame again," Smith said.

"At this stage I will settle for a 1-0 now, the three points are the most important thing - it would be terrible if we went out there, scored lots of goals and lost 4-3."

One certainty for Glory, and New Zealand, is the return of Bobby Despotovski, after a two-week layoff with a foot injury, while Simon Colosimo will definitely miss after his fourth yellow card of the season last week.

Smith was also coy on when and how Despotovski would be used, while confirming New Zealand international Jeremy Christie would replace Colosimo.

"I haven't decided yet, but he will take some part in the game for sure," Smith said.

"It depends who is around him."

Christie's inclusion will mean three Kiwis - Adrian Webster and Leo Bertos the other two - will line up against the Knights, while keeper Tommi Tomich, awarded another short term contract this week, is also in the squad.

The visitors include Jonas Salley in their travelling party of 15, but Knights manager Barry Simmonds said he was still unsure whether his ankle injury would allow him to play or not.

"It's nice to have someone back of Jonas' calibre but he's still not quite right," Simmonds said.

"It's obviously a boost though and his addition comes at a good time as our midfield is missing two of our key men in Scot (Gemmill) and Richard Johnson."

Gemmill and Johnson are both still out due to hamstring injuries.

Perth Glory (from): Aleks Vrteski, David Tarka, Jamie Harnwell, Jeremy Christie, Mimi Saric, David Micevski, Luka Glavas, Bobby Despotovski, Stan Lazaridis, Leo Bertos, Ante Kovacevic, Jamie Coyne, Adrian Webster, Stuart Young, Naum Sekulovski, Tommi Tomich

New Zealand Knights (from): Mark Paston Darren Bazeley, Gregory Duruz, Che Bunce, Neil Emblen, Jonti Richter, Jonas Salley, Malik Buari, Noah Hickey, Michael White, Sime Kovacevic, Michael Turnbull, Fernando, Dustin Wells, Alen Marcina.