Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer

WITH THE season's pacesetters, Harbour View, out of action until tomorrow, the spotlight today of the Wray and Nephew National Premier League will fall on Jarrett Park where two former champions will clash at 4:00 p.m.

Hosts Wadadah have started better than they have done over the past few years, while the visitors and perennial favourites Portmore United are having one of their worst starts for some time. But while diehard fans of the two teams will be focussed on action on the field, others will be focusing on a special guest in the new coach of the national team, Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic, who will be in attendance.

Turnaround of results

While a number of players would want to catch the eye of the touted new coach early, the focus of club coaches Paul Young of Portmore United and Anthony 'Follies' Williams of Wadadah will be to motivate their players enough to get a turnaround of results and form.

"We have been struggling with injuries to key players. From the start of the season injuries have been haunting us," said Young of his team which is yet to win a match this season and now sits a point and two places above the bottom of the table.

"This game against Wadadah will be tough as we are not in the best of form right now based on the records and Wadadah are always a tough team to beat at home," he said.

While Portmore United have one of the deepest squads in local football, they have not been able to field a consistent unit because of injuries. Former national forward Onandi Lowe is a big doubt because of an ankle injury, while the outstanding Kevin Deerr could make his first appearance for the season.

If Deerr does start he could have one of the youthful Steven Morrissey, Rafei Wolfe or the Colombian Freddy Parada beside him.

In midfield they have good talent in national representative Jason Morrison, Craig Morrison, national youth representative Carlington Smith and the talented Mario Swaby, while Anthony Modeste, Adrian Reid and Demar Stewart should keep things tight in front of national goalkeeper Shawn Sawyers.

"We hope to get the ball rolling, but in order for that to happen we have to be fully focussed for 90 minutes," Young said of his talented group.

Wadadah's Williams in the meantime will be happy to get the memories of Wednesday's loss to the promoted August Town out of the players' heads.

TODAY'S GAMES