Baltimore Blast midfielder Tim Wittman missed practice yesterday with a sore left knee and is not expected to practice today.

"Timmy's taking rehabilitation at Kernan Hospital and preparing himself to play against Dallas [tomorrow night at 8:05]," trainer Marty McGinty said.

Said coach Kenny Cooper: "Tim is hurting. He's not 100 percent fit. You could tell that Saturday night [Wittman played only in the first half against Cleveland]. Maybe he can give us a quarter against Dallas. We need him."

Defenders Mike Stankovic (flu) and Mark Mettrick (injured groin muscle) missed practice yesterday, but are expected to play tomorrow night. Stankovic is the hottest scorer on the team with eight goals and one assist in the past four games.