KEY POINTS:
Former Adelaide United skipper Ross Aloisi is set to be unveiled as one of the Wellington Phoenix's first signings.
The 34-year-old central midfielder was controversially sacked as captain by Adelaide at the end of last season, despite delivering the club the minor premiership in the A-League's inaugural season and then leading them to last season's grand final.
Aloisi was sent off in the 6-0 grand final loss to Melbourne and then launched an extraordinary verbal spray at match officials in a post-match interview that cost him the captaincy. He quit the club two months later.
Coach John Kosmina also quit Adelaide before he was sacked after a similar volley.
Aloisi is, though, a widely respected player in Australian circles and made five appearances for the Socceroos, the last in 1999 against Manchester United. His brother, John, scored the penalty that secured Australia a place in last year's World Cup and there had been mounting speculation he would join Ross at Adelaide to finish his career.
Aloisi is a tough, combative midfielder who spent 10 seasons overseas in Switzerland, France, Italy, Austria and Malaysia before returning to Australia in 2004 and his experience and leadership would be a valuable asset in Wellington.
Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert recognised this and was reportedly in touch with Aloisi half an hour after his announcement that he had cut ties with Adelaide.
Former Knights midfielder and Phoenix target Jonas Salley was signed as a replacement for Aloisi.
Herbert, who moved to Wellington last Monday, is due to name his first batch of signings tomorrow and Aloisi's name could be among them.
Also tipped to be announced are All Whites goalkeepers Mark Paston and Glen Moss, as Herbert attempts to build a 23-man squad with as many as 10 New Zealanders.
Herbert said he had roughly half his squad in place, with a number of players finalising contracts.
"I'm really happy with where things are at given the time constraints we have had to deal with," he said. "We have worked hard since we got the green light [as a club last month]."
Herbert is keen to keep a handful of places open until midway through the Pre-Season Cup, which kicks off on July 14, so he can trial players.
He is also uncertain exactly which All Whites will be available, with Phoenix targets Ivan Vicelich, David Mulligan, Leo Bertos and Tim Brown still under contract.
Tony Lochhead, Noah Hickey, Steven Old, Jeremy Christie and Brown are expected to sign, while Jeremy Brockie would still qualify as one of the three under-20 players allowed.
Exciting Wellington 17-year-old Costa Barbarouses could fill another under-age spot.
All Whites skipper Danny Hay, however, said it was a "massive long shot" that he would relocate to Wellington.
Former Knights midfielder Richard Johnson and defender Steven O'Dor, who played a handful of Knights games at the end of last season, are among other Australians in the mix.
