Wellington striker Paul Ifill is in doubt for the Phoenix's Hyundai A-League match against Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
The Barbadian international, who scored his first goal for the club in last weekend's 2-1 win against Perth Glory, missed training on Wednesday with a groin niggle.
He was substituted with around 15 minutes to go in the match at Westpac Stadium with tightness in his groin.
Midfielder Tim Brown is another under an injury cloud. His groin problem kept him out of Sunday's victory.
"We've got some depth in the squad and it'll be opportunities for other players but hopefully we will get at least one of them there," coach Ricki Herbert said.
Goalkeeper Reece Crowther and midfielder Daniel also sat out training due to illness but Herbert was confident the pair would be available for selection.
The coach has welcomed the arrival of new signing Jiang Chen who had his first run with his new team-mates in the New Zealand capital on Wednesday.
However, the Chinese under-23 player won't be considered for the trip to Brisbane given his lack of time with the side.
"He's had his fitness test this morning and he's joined the group for a session here. It's good to have him here," said Herbert.
"He's settled in pretty quickly. We'll be patient with him. I think he can certainly be an impact for us. We'll probably look around the next home game against Adelaide to have him part of that."
While attacking, entertaining football was the order of the day in Wellington last weekend, the Phoenix coach hinted a slightly more conservative approach could be adopted for this weekend's match.
"I think Brisbane are very good on the counter and have quick players up front too so we'll have to be conscious of that," he said.
"They'll probably be slightly different to what Perth were going to challenge us with and we've never gone there (to Brisbane) and done that well either."
"I'm not sure there will be a lot of personnel changes. I think just slightly different responsibilities, at least for the front players."
"They will be desperate to try and get their season started. We're in good form and we travel there with a lot of confidence off the back of Perth and we'll look to get across there and get three points."
Sunday, 23 August 2009
Brisbane Roar v Wellington Phoenix
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Local kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Chris Beath
Live & exclusive broadcast on Fox Sports 3 and Sky Sports 1. Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is The Radio Network 1035 AM (Wellington). To purchase tickets visit www.ticktek.com.au
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Liam REDDY (gk), 3. Luke DEVERE, 4. Craig MOORE (c), 6. David DODD, 7. Michael ZULLO, 9. Sergio VAN DIJK, 10. Charlie MILLER, 12. Matt MUNDY, 13. HENRIQUE, 15. Matt McKAY, 16. Bob MALCOLM, 17. Mitch NICHOLS, 18. Danny TIATTO, 20. Griffin McMASTER (gk), 21. Tommy OAR, 24. Robbie KRUSE.
*one to be omitted*
In: 21. Tommy OAR (promoted)
Out: 5. Josh McCLOUGHAN (groin - 2 weeks)
Unavailable: 2. Andrew PACKER (adductor � 2-3 months), 5. Josh McCLOUGHAN (groin � 2 weeks), 8. Massimo MURDOCCA (fractured leg � 3-4 months)
Wellington Phoenix squad: 1. Mark PASTON (gk), 2. Manny MUSCAT, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 4. Jon McKAIN, 5. DIEGO, 7. Leo BERTOS, 8. Paul IFILL. 9. Chris GREENACRE, 10. Michael FERRANTE, 11. DANIEL, 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 16. David MULLIGAN, 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 20. Reece CROWTHER (gk), 21. Marco ROJAS, 22. Andrew DURANTE (c), 23. Costa BARBAROUSES
*three to be omitted*
In: 16. David MULLIGAN (promoted), 21. Marco ROJAS (promoted), 23. Costa BARBAROUSES (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: 6. Tim BROWN (groin � 1 week), 12. Jiang CHEN (visa)
*Head-to-Head: Played 6; Brisbane Roar FC 4, Wellington Phoenix FC 0, Drawn 2
A small town in Europe........looking to bounce straight back up....well that aint going to happen
a.haak
If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid
a.haak
Ifill picked up a groin niggle during the first half against Perth, which led to him being substituted with 20 minutes to go. It has hindered him at training this week but he did some ball work yesterday and is confident he'll be right for Brisbane.
I'm slightly disappointed!
when Putter got back and told everyone who got the job over him, I'm sure the whole of holland was buzzing
Ifill picked up a groin niggle during the first half against Perth, which led to him being substituted with 20 minutes to go. It has hindered him at training this week but he did some ball work yesterday and is confident he'll be right for Brisbane.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe_B5CzbTJo - Caceres winning penalty v Perth - footage from the Fever Zone
from the Phoenix site - article about Lockhead
Looks like the young kiwis have missed out again
Only 15 named so if they make a late call not to play Ifill then the squad is one short?
Looking forward to seeing that front four playing together again, plus will be interesting to see if Locky can show us something more along the lines of the first season, as he talks about in the article
must be tricky trying to play forward with Super Leo running the show in front of youSunday, 23 August 2009
Brisbane Roar v Wellington Phoenix
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Local kickoff: 3pm (5pm NZST)
Referee: Chris Beath
Live and exclusive broadcast on Fox Sports 3 and Sky Sport 1. Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is The Radio Network 1035 AM (Wellington).
Wellington Phoenix squad: 1. Mark PASTON (gk), 2. Manny MUSCAT, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 4. Jon McKAIN, 5. DIEGO, 7. Leo BERTOS, 8. Paul IFILL. 9. Chris GREENACRE, 10. Michael FERRANTE, 11. DANIEL, 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 20. Reece CROWTHER (gk), 22. Andrew DURANTE (c).
Striker Paul Ifill has been under an injury cloud during the week but Herbert is confident the Briton � who scored his first goal for the Phoenix against Perth � will be available.
�I wouldn�t say the cloud has lifted but we can probably see through it now. Paul will travel and we�ll give him right up till Sunday morning before we make a decision, but he does look a lot better.�
a.haak
yeah..when its too late to make the difference one of them is at least capable of doing...
A small town in Europe........looking to bounce straight back up....well that aint going to happen
