Soccer: Suspension opens door for teen

Paul Ifill (C) is on a roll after scoring two goals against Melbourne this week. Photo / Getty Images

Wanganui teenager James Musa is set to start for the Wellington Phoenix against Melbourne Victory in tonight's A League game at Westpac Stadium.

Called into the squad in place of the suspended Ben Sigmund, Musa will slot in at left back.

Troy Hearfield, who played there in Wednesday's win over Melbourne Heart will switch to right back, enabling the experienced Jade North to join captain Andrew Durante at the heart of the Phoenix defence.

Musa, 18, born in Plymouth, England, but a New Zealand resident for 10 years, has been on the Phoenix books for a couple of seasons and gets his big chance against one of the league's glamour teams.

"He has done well," said Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert. "Unfortunately in not having a second team, we haven't been able to play him until the last few weeks when he turned out for our A team against Waikato and Team Wellington.

"He is a good player, tall and strong - a little like Winston Reid - and it will be great for him to get to play.

"When I told him what I was contemplating, I just said, go home and relax and then go out and enjoy it. If it doesn't work, and I have no reason to think it won't, we can make changes.

"I spoke to Andrew [Durante] about it and he was confident James could do the job. They all had to start somewhere. In some ways, it is like the Costa Barbarouses story. We had him on the books but without a second team, we didn't have a lot of opportunities to play him."

Herbert said Musa's elevation should encourage other local players to put their hands up.

He expected Musa would put some pressure on returning - and regular - left back Tony Lochhead.

"We are also looking at right back," said Herbert. "A player like Aaron Scott is one who comes to mind."

Musa's introduction will be the only change from the team who saw off the Heart at the same ground three days ago.

Herbert said the win had put a "spring in the step" of his players at yesterday's training, where Paul Ifill particularly caught the coach's eye.

"He relished the chance to play up front," said Hebert. "He is hungry."

Ifill's two goals against the Heart took him back into a share of the lead in the golden boot.

He joined Barbarouses, Bruno Cazarine, Robbie Fowler and Sergio Van Dijk on six goals.

A-League: Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory

Westpac Stadium Today 6pm (live SS 1)

Referee: Peter O'Leary