Dagg returns to aid Magpies | Hawkes Bay Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Hawkes Bay

Can All Black hero Israel Dagg spark the first Hawke's Bay Magpies ITM Cup rugby win of the year?

Unbeaten as an All Black this year Dagg has yet to play in a winning Magpies Cup game this season. Dagg, who will start at fullback in Sunday's fifth round clash against the Manawatu Turbos in Palmerston North, has made just one Cup appearance for the side this season, in the loss against Tasman on August 12.

His only other previous appearance for the side was in the pre-season win against the Turbos at FMG Stadium on July 23 - the last time the Magpies won a match. Dagg's return is one of five changes likely to be made to the starting XV used in last Sunday's 23-20 loss to top-of-the-table Southland in Napier.

"It's been a disjointed week because of injuries," Magpies co-coach Peter Russell said.

"There's often been four of five players on the sideline at training. Our substitute prop's berth is the biggest concern with Kaas' neck injury still a worry and Josh picking up a back injury at training on Monday," said Russell referring to Kaas Lealamanua and Josh Keys.

"It's made it difficult putting players in the right places but in saying that the boys are definitely up for this game," he added.

Versatile five-eighth Andrew Horrell is out for at least four weeks with his dislocated elbow collected in the loss to the Stags. Captain Jason Shoemark is likely to return to second five-eighth from centre to replace Horrell and Richard Buckman will take the centre's berth.

A shoulder injury to regular starting halfback Kahn Fotuali'i has seen him bracketed with Chris Eaton.

Regular starting No8 Mike Coman also has a shoulder injury and if he didn't pass a fitness test this morning Grant Webb was expected to replace him.

On the subs bench Keys and Lealamanua have been bracketed for the prop's berth and it will be a case of whoever is the most injury free this morning getting the nod.

Should Webb replace Coman veteran Michael Johnson will get the substitute loosie's job.

Russell and co-coach Tom Coventry are awaiting clearances for Mark Jackman and Ryan McLeod before finalising the other two backs' subs berths. If McLeod doesn't get his under-20 world champion Star Timu will and if Jackman is ruled out Luke Rooney will get the nod.

The Manawatu side also was expected to be announced this afternoon. It's no secret Turbos will be expecting just as much from their All Black, first five-eighth, Aaron Cruden as Magpies fans are of Dagg.

Former Magpies captain and lock Reece Robinson and former Magpies winger Lote Raikabula, who like Magpies winger Zac Guildford, spent two days earlier this week in camp with the New Zealand Sevens squad are likely to start for the Turbos.

Numerous Magpies supporters are expected to make the trip through the Manawatu Gorge for the match. Many of them will be family members of prop Clint Newland.

"Crita" (Newland's nickname) will make his 100th first class appearance for the Magpies.

All the ingredients are there for a thriller as two winless neighbours chase their first Cup win.