"We've brought in a lot of fresh players, a lot of inexperience but good quality and I think to bring in another experienced player would be a good thing and maybe a couple of others that are players that could play regularly," Merrick said.
Budgeting will come in to it, while he may have to make tough calls around veteran utility Leo Bertos and exciting attacker Paul Ifill, who ruptured his Achilles this season and will endure a long stint on the sideline.
Both are off-contract at season's end and Merrick values Bertos as an experienced member of the squad.
Ifill, a former Barbados international who has played as an import, could qualify as a local next season given he will have satisfied residency requirements in New Zealand, which may help the 34-year-old get a new deal.
Merrick could probably do with another midfielder, fullback and forward in his playing group.
Belgian striker Stein Huysegems, who has scored a club-leading 10 goals this summer, doesn't seem a certainty to return next season.
"When it comes to signing players and dealing with agents I'm never that confident but we'll certainly try hard and we are continuing to talk to him," Merrick said.
The sticking point around Huysegems is he wants a two-year deal but the club have only tabled a one-season contract.
Before Merrick can put all his focus on next year, the Phoenix do remain a mathematical chance of making this season's playoffs.
After being hammered 5-0 on the road by the Newcastle Jets last weekend, they have the opportunity to turn it around against Adelaide United at Westpac Stadium tomorrow.
Defender Ben Sigmund is back from suspension tomorrow, while midfielder Carlos Hernandez is over a calf tear and may get game time.
