Goalkeeper Paston out as Phoenix dealt blow

Injury has dealt the Wellington Phoenix a significant blow, with in-form goalkeeper Mark Paston ruled out of Sunday's A-League match against Brisbane.

Paston collided with captain Andrew Durante during training on Wednesday and has failed to recover from a corked thigh. Reece Crowther will keep goal, while assistant coach Jonathan Gould will move onto the bench as reserve keeper.

Coach Ricki Herbert was frustrated to again be without Paston, who recently suffered a hip injury and missed two A-League games earlier this month.

"He's got a dead leg, it just hasn't recovered. He can't move, so he's out. It's just a time thing, it's not a major one, but it's enough to rule him out for this weekend," Herbert said.

The team leaves this afternoon for the round 16 match against eight-placed Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.

- © Fairfax NZ News