Wodonga Diamonds' Dylan Gavel sidelined for at least two matches with hamstring strain

Gavel was one of the best players on the pitch before the injury as Diamonds went on to lose 2-1 to their crosstown rivals to start the season.

Diamonds will be keen to respond against St Pats at Alexandra Park on Sunday, but it won't be easy as it will be the side's third match in seven days after a 1-0 loss in the new FA Cup to Albury United on Wednesday night.

"I'm a bit unsure how we'll back up from mid-week because this competition is new, but given our average squad age and the depth we have, I'm confident we should be fine," Diamonds coach Daniel Griffin said.

"We were able to make five or six changes from the team that played Twin City to the team that played United mid-week, so we were able to rest a few guys.

"Bidish Chouhan and Jordan Siemens will keep their spots after great games mid-week. Martin Miranda and Daniel Larsson will come back in and so will Nick Johansen, while Mason Hope is back from a chest infection that kept him out against Twin City."

ALSO IN SPORT:

Griffin believes St Pats has moved away from its traditional game style and will play a more grounded brand.

"I think the key will be to match them physically and try work them around when we are in possession to create openings," he added.

St Pats coach Javi Martinez was pleased with his side's start the season and hopes they can continue to build.

"What we're trying to instil is right across the board and they've bought into it. We're working towards a game plan and a system of play that will suit us and our players and trying to implement that," Martinez said.

"It's going to take us a while because we don't have a huge stock of depth of players."

Also this weekend, Cobram host Wangaratta, Boomers take on Albury City, Melrose meet Albury United, Myrtleford clash with Twin City and Albury Hotspurs have a bye.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: