Porter

The Phoenix's chances of securing their key strike target, Australian Joel Porter, are slipping by the day with Porter's English League One club Hartlepool United exercising its option to extend the former international's contract by another year.

Porter wants to move to Wellington and the dispute is in the hands of the Professional Footballers' Association.

"We're trying to see whether there can be any options," Pignata said yesterday.

"He wants to come, he's agreed to terms and we're happy to move forward. He wants to move and accept an offer on his house, so it's a messy one."

The Dominion Post understands plan B is a current A-League striker but Pignata would only say: "We haven't moved any closer but we're still tapping away.

"If we don't get Porter, we get plan B. If we don't get plan B, then I suppose we're back to plan C."

The club won't rush into a decision but Pignata realises signing a gun striker is crucial to their chances of finishing the season in finals contention. Youngsters Costa Barbarouses and Greg Draper are unproven at A-League level, while veteran Vaughan Coveny was more effective off the bench last season.

"Yes, we definitely need another striker, it's just a matter of who and seeing whether they can fit under the [salary] cap. Ideally, it will have to be someone from overseas, but we're always talking to people."

The Phoenix have three spots available on their roster but will wait till after the planned pre-season tour to China next month, which includes three matches against Super League clubs, to finalise their squad.