Losing the experience and leadership of Adam Federici and Mark Milligan in the space of a week has taken its toll on A-League Men's club Macarthur FC.
Federici announced his retirement due to injury last month, just weeks after being named as Milligan's successor as Bulls captain.
His retirement came along with the news that Milligan, the expansion club's inaugural captain, had also quit his role as a member of coach Ante Milicic's off-field staff.
Milicic said the loss of both former Socceroos certainly had an impact on his team's pre-season preparations but was confident it wasn't an indicator of any wider problems at the club.
"I've been involved in the game for a long time and it's just those situations that occur," Milicic said.
"We have to quickly move on and that's what we're trying to do as a group.
"Both Adam and Mark were very influential for this football club.
"It hasn't been smooth. It hasn't been easy, but what is easy these days in football and in life?
"I'm very confident in the group. We've got a great bunch of boys. They've been training well and the best thing for us is now to get the competitive games underway."
Those competitive games begin on Saturday when Macarthur travel to face northern NSW NPL team Newcastle Olympic in an FFA Cup round-of-32 fixture.
With the exception of Polish goalkeeper Filip Kurto, who is yet to arrive in Australia following Federici's retirement, Milicic says he has a full squad available for Saturday's game.
The Bulls have been reported to be among four clubs dealing with unvaccinated players but Milicic was dismissive of any concerns in that regard.
"All I'll say is that everyone's available. Everyone's training," he said.
"I've got a full group of players to choose from and there's no issues with us in regards to vaccinations at this football club."
Saturday's game, Macarthur's first appearance in the FFA Cup, kicks off at 5pm AEDT.
