Everything positive at Phoenix HQ

Wellington Phoenix captain Andrew Durante reckons his side are hitting their straps at the right time and that New Zealand's qualification for next year's World Cup finals in South Africa has been another big boost for the A-League club.

The Phoenix play Newcastle Jets in Newcastle on Sunday bolstered by the heroics of the club's All Whites contingent who helped New Zealand beat Bahrain 1-0 in Wellington last weekend to book a berth at the 2010 World Cup.

They are also in the midst of a good run of form, including a 3-0 win over the Jets in Wellington at the start of the month.

"Everything around the club has been very positive," Durante said today.

"The six All Whites boys have come back with a great attitude following the win against Bahrain and we're all over the moon with the result.

"We've all been given a huge lift and everyone's full of energy.

"For the rest of us, being so close to the Kiwi internationals, we we're rapt for them. It was special for us at the Phoenix to have been part of it. There's a real euphoria around the club at the moment."

Durante said the Phoenix had been playing good soccer of late the focus would be on more of the same against Newcastle.

"We're looking good. We're doing it at the right time after starting a bit slowly this season and we haven't played too many poor games.

"We've been pretty consistent this year and we'll need to continue our good form in Newcastle this weekend.

"It's a big game for us. The Jets are only a point behind us, so it's very important for us to keep climbing the ladder (the Phoenix are currently sixth) and we need to be getting maximum points against teams below us."

Coach Ricki Herbert has made just a couple of changes from the squad who drew 1-1 against Perth Glory last up, with World Cup hero Mark Paston returning in goal and Diego replacing the suspended Vince Lia in midfield.

Durante said the 15-man squad had an attacking bent.

"Ricki wants to go over there to win and that's a great attitude. We've got the quality in the squad to go at anyone, be it at home or away, and play an attacking brand of football."

Herbert said the loss of Lia was significant but that another player now had the opportunity to step up.

"It's a tough one because Vinnie's probably been our best player consistently.

"But we've had a look at Diego and we've been quite up front with him that if he does play his performance needs to be up there and that if he gets the nod he needs to step up and play well."

Wellington Phoenix (from): Mark Paston, Manny Muscat, Tony Lochhead, Diego, Tim Brown, Leo Bertos, Paul Ifill, Chris Greenacre, Daniel, Troy Hearfield, Adrian Caceres, Ben Sigmund, Reece Crowther, Andrew Durante (captain), Costa Barbarouses.

- NZPA