Port Saints to host Port United in Football Mid North Coast Premier League

Saints can surge to the top of the ladder by themselves by claiming all three points while United can give themselves a bit of a buffer on top if they claim victory.

Saints coach Darrell Pascoe has more pressing matters to focus on before the match with almost as many players injured as those who were fit.

Question marks remain over who will line up in the centre of defence for Saints, with captain Dan Gardner only rated a "50-50 chance" while Vaughan Lickley and Paddy Hamilton are no certainties to play either.

"At training the other night we had our injured players on one side and the uninjured players on the other," Pascoe said.

"It was about two-thirds to one-third."

Pascoe didn't believe there would be added motivation for his players with a competition lead up for grabs.

"It's not anything super special because of where we're sitting on the ladder," he said.

"I'd like to think it would be the same regardless of if we were at the bottom and they were at the top.

"As long as we play good footy I'm not troubled by what the score will mean."

United coach Nathan Wade also wouldn't be drawn into whether both sides high positions on the ladder would add extra motivation.

"It doesn't matter where you are, it's still a local derby," he said.

Wade will look for a response from his side following last weekend's disappointing 1-all draw with Taree Wildcats.

"They got a bit of a serve at training on Tuesday, but it's a local derby so when you're a first grader you shouldn't need any added motivation," he said.

Matt Bale and Troy Berecry are United's only injury concerns with Bale rated a "20-80" chance, while Berecry was "50-50".

The match kicks off at 3pm.

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