New England Revolution head coach Steve Nicol will likely name the same lineup he did last weekend for Saturday night's game against Eastern Conference leader Columbus Crew.
But don't take that to mean the team's injury and absence problems have petered away.
"I don't think it's been ideal," Nicol said. "But we're not going to moan about it. We're just going to get on with it."
The most pressing concern is Taylor Twellman's ankle. Recently recovered from a knee injury, Twellman scored a goal on his return at Chivas USA two weeks ago before picking up a second-half ankle sprain that has kept him sidelined ever since.
"Everywhere he turns, he gets sideswiped," Nicol said.
That sideswipe will keep him out of the lineup for at least three weeks, Nicol said.
While the team has coped without Twellman, the problems will soon increase will soon after Kenny Mansally was called up to join Gambia's national team for African World Cup qualifying. He is expected to miss three weeks.
"It's great for Kenny, but it couldn't have come at a worse time for us," Nicol said.
But Mansally will remain through Saturday's game in Columbus before heading to join up with his Gambian teammates for qualifying, meaning Mansally can partner Kheli Dube up top against the Crew before Nicol has to dip to his bench to find another striker next weekend.
With Columbus unbeaten in its last six games (5-0-1) and perched atop the Eastern Conference, the Crew will present a stern test for the visitors on Saturday night.
"They are a team in a groove right now," Revs defender Michael Parkhurst said.
Much of that form has to do with sparkling displays from Argentinean playmaker Guillermo Barros Schelotto. The former Boca Juniors star has racked up a goal and five assists so far this season while serving as the fulcrum of the Crew's much improved attack.
"Everything goes through him," Parkhurst said. "He's the instigator."
Parkhurst said Schelotto is the type of player his team needs to track all over the field, even when the Revs are attacking.
"That's my job," Parkhurst said. "I'm not supposed to be watching our team attack. I have to ask the questions. Where are the playmakers? Where are the forwards?"
One of those forwards is the in-form Robbie Rogers. The U.S. Olympic hopeful can slip out wide in a 4-4-2 or play in a more advanced role to run behind the backline. Parkhurst said his team will have to monitor Rogers to ensure he doesn't blow past the Revolution defense.
"We have to be cognizant," Parkhurst said. "He likes to get on that ball over the top or through the defense on the ground. He's got pace, but so does Chris [Albright, Revs defender]."
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
