Injury worries for Phoenix ahead of Melbourne Victory clash
The Wellington Phoenix have suffered two blows to their fullback stocks, with Tim Payne and Sam Sutton both likely to miss Sunday's match against Melbourne Victory through injury.
Tim Payne is out with a glute injury and head coach Giancarlo Italiano said he still needs another week to recover.
Sutton picked up a knock at training during the week and is "highly unlikely" to feature this weekend.
Both Payne and Sutton have been on the score-sheet for the Nix his season, with Italiano allowing his fullbacks to push higher up the pitch and support attacks.
"Injuries are a common part of every season, it's more about whether the player coming in is ready to embrace that and take that opportunity," said Italiano.
The Phoenix have had two weeks off due to the international break, with their last match being a 3-0 win over the Central Coast Mariners.
"I think we need to put back-to-back performances together for consistency and team morale. Its a great show of resilience especially after the result the week before, so if we can put two or three good performances together, I think that will go a long way."
The challenge for the Nix this weekend is the undefeated Melbourne Victory, who sit on top of the A-League men's standings after four matches.
The Victory have a new-look team including a new coach with former Melbourne City coach Patrick Kisnorbo taking over from Tony Popovic - who is now the Australian national team coach.
The Phoenix lost last year's semi-final 2-1 against Victory, a match which Italiano said he doesn't think about anymore.
"That game for me is long gone, that was last year's team, that was Popovic's team and it's a completely different feel this season. This is Patty's team now, he has different ideas and they're playing in a different way.
"It will be good to play them, I think they're deservedly at the top of the table and have been good in all of their games so far."
The match is part of the A-League's 'Unite Round' with all teams playing their matches at Allianz Stadium in Sydney this weekend. Kick off is on Sunday at 3:30pm NZT.
Wellington Phoenix squad for match against Melbourne Victory:
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1. Josh Oluwayemi (gk), 3. Corban Piper, 4. Scott Wootton (c), 7. Kosta Barbarouses, 8. Paulo Retre, 9. Hideki Ishige, 10. David Ball, 11. Stefan Colakovski, 12. Mo Al-Taay, 14. Alex Rufer (c), 15. Isaac Hughes, 19. Sam Sutton (injury doubt), 21. Marco Rojas, 24. Oskar van Hattum, 25. Kazuki Nagasawa, 27. Matt Sheridan, 30. Alby Kelly-Heald (gk), 36. Xuan Loke, 39. Jayden Smith, 41. Nathan Walker
(Two to be omitted)
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