KEY POINTS:
Coach Ricki Herbert will continue to tinker with his squad when Wellington Phoenix play Queensland Roar in a Pre-Season Cup soccer match on the Sunshine Coast tomorrow.
One change has been forced on Herbert with the season-ending injury suffered by makeshift right back Vince Lia in last weekend's 1-0 win against the Central Coast Mariners.
He reiterated his intention to give every member of his squad a run in the lead-up to the Phoenix's opening A-League match against the Roar on August 17.
"This weekend's match is just another step, really, and we're not going to change from what we've decided to do leading into August 17," Herbert said.
"It was a good start for us last weekend against the Mariners and Sunday's match against the Roar is another opportunity to give some other players a run, look at a couple of other combinations and move our training schedule ahead another week."
Troy Hearfield was used at right back when Lia was forced off shortly after halftime against the Mariners.
Lia has since been ruled out for the season with ligament damage in his left knee.
Herbert said he planned to push Hearfield up into his accustomed midfield role against the Roar, alongside Brazilian playmaker Daniel and Leo Bertos.
That suggests Ben Sigmund will have a big part to play in the Phoenix's back four.
"Troy's a decent shot to start this weekend, maybe in the three behind the striker, with Ben Sigmund perhaps dropping in at right back."
The loss of Lia for the season has been offset by the signing of New Zealand international and former English Championship defender David Mulligan.
"It's unfortunate for Vinnie from a personal point of view and we had high hopes for him at right back this season.
"But we've got some options there to look at and that's the focus at the moment," Herbert said.
The Phoenix lead group B in the Pre-Season Cup standings alongside Sydney FC, who beat the Roar 2-1 last weekend.
THE SQUADS
Queensland Roar (from):
Liam Reddy, Andrew Packer, Luke Devere, David Dodd, Michael Zullo, Massimo Murdocca, Sergio van Dijk, Charlie Miller, Tahj Minniecon, Chris Grossman, Ben Griffin, Matt McKay, Mitch Nichols, Danny Tiatto, Griffin McMaster, Tom Oar, Robbie Kruse, Tim Smits.
Wellington Phoenix (from):
Mark Paston, Tony Lochhead, Jon McKain, Karl Dodd, Leo Bertos, Vaughan Coveny, Shane Smeltz, Michael Ferrante, Daniel, Richard Johnson, Troy Hearfield, Ben Sigmund, Glen Moss, Andrew Durante (captain), Adam Kwasnik.Cup gives Herbert opportunity to tinker with line-up
- NZPA
