Soccer: Paston fit for Brisbane clash

Phoenix keeper Mark Paston. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Mark Paston has passed a fitness test and is available for Friday's A-League soccer match away to Brisbane.

Paston was troubled by a groin strain on Sunday, but played the full 90 minutes in the Phoenix's 2-0 win over Central Coast Mariners in Wellington.

After undergoing treatment during the week, Paston was put through a test today and deemed fit to travel to Brisbane.

The Phoenix added highly-rated stopper Danny Vukovic to their goalkeeping unit this week, adding real competition for the starting goalkeeping spot for the remainder of the season.

Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert said the No 1 jersey was Paston's to lose.

"He'll start in goal (against Brisbane), as long as he's right and it looks like he is. Mark's in the driving seat and it's his position to lose, really, given he's done extremely well.

"We haven't brought Danny here because Mark's not playing well, we brought Danny in to inject some depth into the position," Herbert said.

The Phoenix will take 16 players to Brisbane, with exciting young striker Mirjan Pavlovic also making the trip and giving Herbert another attacking option on game-day.

Aside from the omission of reserve keeper Griffin McMaster and the inclusion of an extra player in Pavlovic, the Phoenix squad is unchanged.

- NZPA