Football: Rodriguez eager for more Premier League action

Alex Rodriguez, formally Alejandro Gorrin, scored one of the Phoenix two goals against West Ham. Photo /Getty Images

When Alex Rodriguez was on the books of English Premier League side Sunderland he would have envisaged lining up against the likes of West Ham United and Newcastle.

But the new Phoenix midfielder, who could only crack the reserves and Sunderland's under-21 side before transferring to Wellington, had to travel half a world away to make his first appearance against such opposition.

Rodriguez, previously known as Alejandro Gorrin on his arrival to the capital, announced himself to the Phoenix faithful with a well-placed goal at Eden Park on Wednesday night as Wellington toppled West Ham 2-1.

The win will long be talked about as part of Phoenix folklore and the club could add to that when they meet Newcastle United at Westpac Stadium in Wellington today.

"It was a great debut but that's in the past," Rodriguez said. "I just need to look forward to the next game and hopefully it'll be a good one."

The 20-year-old provides Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick with various options in the midfield and has already formed a bond with fellow Spaniard Albert Riera, who was impressive again for Wellington on Wednesday night.

"He's a nice guy and so easy to get along with," Rodriguez said of his midfield mate. "It's just the same on the pitch."

Newcastle opened this week's Football United Tour with a 4-0 victory over Sydney FC in Dunedin on Tuesday as the heavyweights flexed their muscles.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew saw the Phoenix's tough-tackling approach on Wednesday and said he may have a word with Merrick and the officials ahead of today's game to help keep a lid on things.

"I'm sure it'll be competitive," Pardew said.

"I know there were a couple of challenges [against West Ham] that were probably not suitable for pre-season, so hopefully we don't see those."

Merrick confirmed he would likely employ most of the same starting XI that beat West Ham for today's game, which gives the uncontracted Tom Doyle another opportunity to prove he is worthy of a full-time deal after impressing at left back on Wednesday night.

All Whites midfielder Michael McGlinchey wasn't expected to be available as no ruling had emerged from his ongoing contract saga.

As part of today's double-header, West Ham play Sydney FC before the Phoenix meet Newcastle with a near sell-out crowd expected at Westpac Stadium.

Meanwhile, the Phoenix confirmed yesterday that they have signed versatile Dutch utility Roly Bonevacia on a two-year contract.

"This is exactly what we wanted," Merrick said. "We wanted a defensive player who was comfortable in the midfield, at centre back when we lose players to the All Whites and a fullback when we need him to fill in."

Bonevacia's arrival means the club has filled out their import quota for the upcoming season but Merrick said the Phoenix would find a way to accommodate the off-contract Paul Ifill when the veteran striker returns from his Achilles tendon injury.

The 34-year-old could qualify as a "local" this season given he will have lived in New Zealand for five years come September.

Double header
West Ham United v Sydney FC
Westpac Stadium 2pm today
Wellington Phoenix v Newcastle United
Westpac Stadium 4.30pm today