KEY POINTS:
Things are coming together at the right time for the Wellington Phoenix soccer club, with all frontline players on the injured list either back in full training or due back soon.
The first player from a long injury list to make his return to action is goalkeeper Mark Paston, who will travel to Melbourne for the club's Pre-Season Cup match against reigning A-League premiers Melbourne Victory at Olympic Park on Saturday.
Paston is one of several players who missed the team's pre-seasoners to date.
Midfielders Tim Brown, Richard Johnson and Vince Lia are yet to play in the competition leading up to the A-League proper.
However, Johnson is back at full training, with Lia and Brown due back in action over the next couple of weeks or even sooner.
Young striker Costa Barbarouses is close to a full recovery from a minor groin injury.
Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert was pleased with the way his squad were shaping up ahead of the season opener against the Victory at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on August 26.
"It's been unfortunate to have the injury issues we've had, but that's the reality of professional football at times," he said.
"It's heartening that those injury issues are now close to being sorted out and it'll be good to see the full squad back at training."
Saturday's match against the Victory will be the Phoenix's toughest yet, Herbert said.
"We've had three decent competitive matches in the 2007 Pre-Season Cup but playing Melbourne Victory in Melbourne is a big one for us.
"They've had their problems, too, but I still see them as the team to beat in the A-League this season.
"Saturday's game will also be their first in Melbourne this season, so there'll be a big crowd and a lot of expectation on them."
Paston, who hasn't played a game since the All Whites' 2-2 draw with Wales in Wrexham in May, is eager for some action.
The national team's first-choice 'keeper has been troubled by an old foot injury, but rehabilitation has gone well.
"It's nice to be able to get back into training and nice to think that I might get the opportunity to play again soon," he said.
"Sitting on the sidelines isn't much fun but it's important to get everything sorted before the season proper."
Glen Moss, who has played in all three Pre-Season Cup matches, will start again against Melbourne.
New Zealand under-20 custodian Jacob Spoonley drops out of the travelling squad to make way for Paston.
Meanwhile, tough Brazilian defender Cleberson Gois returns to the squad after missing last weekend's 1-2 loss to the Queensland Roar in Christchurch with injury.
SQUAD
Mark Paston (gk), Jeremy Christie, Tony Lochhead, Cleberson Gois, Karl Dodd, Ross Aloisi (captain), Vaughan Coveny, Shane Smeltz, Michael Ferrante, Daniel Cortes, Steven Old, Steven O'Dor, George Paladini, Glen Moss (gk), Felipe Campos, Royce Brownlie (one to be omitted).
- NZPA
