LAUTOKA'S leading goal scorer Valerio Nawatu has been ruled out of the Fiji Sun/GP Batteries National Football League clash against Navua at Thomson Park tomorrow.
Nawatu is on a one-match automatic suspension after picking up two consecutive yellow cards in the competition.
The other senior players who will not feature in the match for the Sugar City side include Jone Vonu Jr, Dave Radrigai, Jone Nailogi, Semesa Nakosia and Simione Tamanisau.
Vonu Jr has an ankle injury, Nakosia and Tamanisau have not been able to attend training because of work commitments while Radrigai and Nailogi are suspended after admitting to drinking prior to the NFL match against Nadroga.
Injured national rep Noa Vukica returned to training on Thursday and is likely to start in the fixture along with goalkeeper Alifereti Baleiloa.
Lautoka Football Association acting president Abdul Khaiyum Rafiq said they had no option but to field a youthful line up for the match.
He said they would not take Navua lightly.
"We don't know what the ground conditions are like at Thomson Park but will try and acclimatise accordingly," Rafiq said.
"The team has been training seriously especially after the loss against Nadroga. We have a tight schedule ahead playing Ba and Suva next week."
Simon Prakash, Mohmmad Rahiman and Javed Hussein are among the youngsters who will don the Blue jumper.
In the first round Lautoka thrashed Navua 4-0 at Churchill Park.
Lautoka is fourth on the NFL points table while Navua is in ninth position.