Phoenix chase glory in Perth

Ricki Herbert is keeping his cards close to his chest as the Wellington Phoenix prepare for the daunting prospect of playing A-League leaders Perth Glory in Perth tomorrow night.

The Phoenix coach has two selection dilemmas on his hands; whether to play new midfield signing Nick Ward and whether to retain Mark Paston and his groin niggle in goal or hand Danny Vukovic a debut.

Either way, the Phoenix will have to be much better than they were in their last outing, a lacklustre 1-0 loss to Brisbane Roar.

Herbert will want a point at least if the seventh-placed Phoenix are to keep in touch with the league's pacesetters.

Ward met his new team-mates in Perth yesterday and Herbert said he would pick his lineup today. He has one player to omit from the travelling squad of 16 and either Ward or Argentinian playmaker Toto appear the likely omission.

"I wouldn't guarantee he'll [Ward] play a part but he's certainly a good signing for the club," Herbert said before flying out of Wellington. "We're going across there really confident. There's been no focus on the travel. We're going across there to get three points if we can. We know it's going to be tough, but we're pretty determined this time."

Herbert put his senior players on notice this week, but if Paston is deemed fit, Troy Hearfield in for Manny Muscat at right back is the only obvious change.

Perth are unbeaten with two wins and two draws and welcome back defenders Andy Todd and Jamie Harnwell and midfielder Mile Sterjovski from injury, although striker Michael Baird has been banned for two weeks for diving.

"The depth and quality that we've got in the squad, we need to see it this week," Herbert said.

"They're undefeated, they were a finals side last year. I think they're probably a stronger team than last year and they've picked up points in every single game. But they're beatable."

Phoenix captain Andrew Durante said he had stressed the importance of individual responsibility this week.

"I think it's a flow-on effect. If I play well then Lochy [Tony Lochhead] plays well, then the midfielders play well and the strikers play well. At home I think we knock the ball around quite well and on the road we've just got to start knocking the ball around.

"It's just about confidence and we've sat down as a group and spoken about it and we're positive that we're a good enough team to win anywhere."

The bookmakers rate the Phoenix as heavy underdogs and with good reason.

Wellington have lost their last three games in Perth without scoring a goal, although their overall record against the Glory is four wins, three draws and three losses.

"But what better game to knock them over than the longest road trip in world football and get the points there," Durante said.

"That's just going to bring lots of confidence to the squad and then we'll feel that we can take on anyone."

How They Line Up

What: A-League, round five
Where: nib Stadium, Perth
When: 7pm tomorrow
TV: Live on Sky Sport 1
TAB: Perth $1.85, Wellington $4, Draw $3.25
Referee: Ben Williams

Perth (from) Tando Velaphi, Josh Mitchell, Jamie Coyne, Andy Todd, Jamie Harnwell, Jacob Burns, Robbie Fowler, Branko Jelic, Scott Neville, Steven McGarry, Adriano Pellegrino, Todd Howarth, Naum Sekulovski, Aleks Vrteski, Mile Sterjovski, Anthony Skorich, Andrija Jukic, Josh Risdon.

Phoenix (from): Mark Paston, Troy Hearfield, Ben Sigmund, Andrew Durante (c), Tony Lochhead, Leo Bertos, Tim Brown, Vince Lia, Paul Ifill, Chris Greenacre, Dylan Macallister, Danny Vukovic, Nick Ward, Daniel, Toto, Mirjan Pavlovic.

- © Fairfax NZ News