Achilles injury puts Ifill's future in doubt

MAJOR BLOW: Paul Ifill has ruptured his Achilles tendon.PHOTO/APN

PAUL IFILL may have played his last game for the Wellington Phoenix after confirming he ruptured his Achilles tendon in Sunday's win over Sydney.

Probably the best player to wear the Phoenix shirt in the club's seven-year history, Ifill is facing a lengthy rehabilitation and will be off contract at the end of the campaign.

There were already questions surrounding the 34-year-old's future after playing a reduced role so far this season, and those will be intensified by the injury blow.

Ifill went down without contact during the second half of Wellington's maiden victory of the season, appearing to be in agony before being taken from the field on a stretcher.

Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick suggested at the severity of the injury after the game and the worst was confirmed yesterday, with Ifill tweeting he would be out of action for eight-to-12 months: "Surgery today, 3 wks of feet up then hit the rehab hard and see where it takes me."

Despite the Barbados international's positive perspective, the outlook is far from sunny.

An injury prone attacker who was already approaching the end of his playing days, the Phoenix may be ready to move on without the man who has been their talisman since joining the club in 2009.

The match was Ifill's 108th for Wellington, leaving him eighth-equal on the all-time list, but it would be a risk to commit to another contract in the hope of him adding to that.

Ifill occupies an import spot that could well be used elsewhere and, having hinted at remaining in the capital once he hangs up the boots, wouldn't be lost to the club altogether.

Merrick may look to recruit a replacement player, although that was far from his mind when contemplating his first win with the Phoenix.

One name bound to crop up is Aaron Clapham, with the All White in red-hot form for Canterbury United in the ASB Premiership.

The attacking midfielder, who leads the league with five goals, has long been linked to the Phoenix and would provide depth in a diluted area. APNZ