Manny Muscat may miss vital Heart game

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MORE IMPORTANT MATTERS: Manny Muscat is likely to miss the Phoenix's game against the Heat as he awaits the arrival of his first child.

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The Wellington Phoenix are likely to be without Manny Muscat for Sunday's game against the Melbourne Heart as the club's new strike weapon awaits the birth of his first child.

Muscat, who scored his first goal in 85 attempts in last Friday's 1-0 win over the Newcastle Jets, is in Melbourne this week, where his wife, Rebecca, is due to give birth on Monday.

A Phoenix spokesman said the team was preparing to be without its dependable right back – who last Saturday re-signed for two years – for the game at Westpac Stadium.

But Vince Lia, fit again after missing the two road wins in Australia with a bruised knee, is a ready-made replacement for Muscat, having already filled in at right back this season.

That would allow coach Ricki Herbert to retain an otherwise stable starting XI, with Tim Brown and Alex Smith keeping their places in central midfield.

The third-placed Phoenix will return to the training pitch today after managing their niggles with a light pool session yesterday.

With nine games left, Sunday's hosting of the fourth-placed Heart looms as vitally important as the Phoenix aim to maintain a buffer over the chasing pack in the run to the finals.

It will be interesting to see how big a crowd the surging Phoenix can pull after their strong recent form and a threat from co-owner Gareth Morgan to take more games on the road.

There is plenty for Welnix to sink their teeth into at present as the club operates without a chief executive. The nine-man consortium is sifting through the applicants to replace Nathan Greenham, who cleared his desk last week, and in the meantime are taking a more hands-on role.

The Phoenix are also advertising for an assistant coach and a goalkeeping coach for next season, while 11 players remain off contract at the end of this A-League campaign.

Spanish playmaker Dani Sanchez is in talks with the club about an extension while Lia and goalkeeper Mark Paston appear likely to stay.

English striker Chris Greenacre, who aspires to be a full-time coach once he hangs up his boots, will definitely stay at the club beyond this season but whether as a player, a coach or both remains to be seen.

Promising Kiwi midfielder Cameron Lindsay is also wanted back despite not playing so far this season, but Australian defender Brent Griffiths is likely to move on after returning from trials in China.

- © Fairfax NZ News