One change to 2013 Underground squad

Continuity will be the key word for Underground FC for the 2013 season, with just one addition to a 19-man squad.

With star utility Andrew Dunn having signed to play for Whangarei club North Force and midfielder Joel Greatbatch unavailable for medical reasons, Underground looked to have been down to 18 men for the season.

However, the stocks have been subsequently filled by talented midfielder Byron de Beer, who was signed on a short-term deal last season.

The major highlights are the retention of captain Ryan Hodgson as the leader of the group, Chris Chu as manager and Andy Speir as goalkeeper.

While Speir's participation will be in a limited capacity in 2013, his presence alone will boost the 2012 Super League winners looking to go back-to-back this season.

The early signs look like Malcolm Turner will be instituted as the reserve goalkeeper in Speir's absence.

2012 Golden Boot Sam Foster has also been included in the 19-man squad and will be frequently called upon when available.

The side's most improved player in the 2012 season, Joseph Cottle, will also don the orange-and-yellow shirt again in 2013 and will be hoping for a bigger season.

Hodgson was satisfied with the depth of his squad as pre-season training gets underway over the coming weeks.

"Obviously the loss of Andrew Dunn for the season is a bit of a blow, but Byron de Beer has shown his skills that he can bring to the squad in the defence and midfield area and perhaps this may trigger a slight chance in formation for this season," said Hodgson.

While there are a number of players capable of filling Dunn's shoes, Hodgson said Vietnamese import Long Tran was looking likely to be involved in a playmaking role.

Underground FC 2013 squad:

Caleb AGENT, Liam BADGER, Charles CHU, Chris CHU (manager), Anthony CLULEY, Joseph COTTLE, Ben CULLEN, Nathan DAWSON, Byron DE BEER, Tim DE BEER, Sam FOSTER, Andrew HEWAT, Ryan HODGSON (captain), Jono KORFF, Andy SPEIR, Dave STANYER, Long TRAN, Malcolm TURNER, Matiu WORKMAN.