NI-VANUATU player Joel Vatu will make his debut for the Shop n Save Lautoka team during the opening round of the 2012/2013 Fiji Sun/GP Batteries National Football League at Churchill Park tomorrow.
Vatu is likely to pair Valerio Nawatu as strikers.
Leisari Qalica, the star of the Central College team, has been excused as he is tied up with the national Under-17 team.
Senior player Arvindra Naidu is a doubtful starter having missed training this week.
Out of the Blues squad are Simione Tamanisau, Alvin Avinesh and Semesa Nakosia. The trio have applied for transfers for the new season.
Lautoka Football Association president Shalendra Prasad said their secretary Reginald Abinesh Gounder Nagaiya had taken the up the coaching role on an interim basis.
He said they were awaiting confirmation from Australia-based Sam Lal who guided the team to this year's Battle of the Giants.
"Sam has shown interest in coaching the team free of charge," Shalend said.
"He is willing to pay for his travel and accommodation here. Sam wants to be engaged in developing soccer in the Sugar City. He is also lining up a tour for the Lautoka U17 team to Sydney next year."
"Some local coaches have shown interest in guiding the team but are demanding money. Due to the financial constraints LFA cannot pay them. We want coaches who can volunteer their services."
"We will not take Tavua lightly. They have proven tough for us to overcome in the past. We will be fielding some youngsters. Majority of the young players who travelled to the Pacific Cup in New Zealand are training."
In the last NFL competition Lautoka defeated Tavua 3-1 in the opening round at Churchill Park. In the return match Lautoka beat Tavua 2-0 at Garvey Park.
Tomorrow's Lautoka- Tavua fixture will kick-off at 1pm. The U21 match be has been cancelled.