Soccer: Evergreen Greenacre to celebrate his 21st game

Chris Greenacre (L) is one of only two Phoenix players to start all 20 A-League games this season. Photo / Getty Images

It wasn't supposed to be like this for Chris Greenacre.

The 34-year-old Wellington Phoenix striker was supposed to play a bit-part role this season, as he added an assistant coaching role to limited playing time. Instead, he's one of only two Phoenix players, along with skipper Andrew Durante, to start all 20 A-League games this season.

He's not one of the club's standout players - he leaves that to the likes of Paul Ifill, Durante and Dani Sanchez - but he's no less important and has become a key ingredient in Wellington's unlikely tilt for the A-League title.

He's never been a prolific scorer, and has netted just 18 times in 75 games for Wellington and four times this term, but gets through a mountain of work and does an effective job as the club's front-running player despite his small stature.

It has even prompted coach Ricki Herbert to wonder if Greenacre is worth investing in as a player again next season. The club will retain him in some capacity - he doesn't yet hold a Uefa A coaching licence to meet A-League rules and become assistant coach - but other pieces of the puzzle will be considered before Greenacre, especially now the club has money and a plan under new owners.

"I'm not sure what Ricki's plans are and the personnel he and the new owners want to bring in," Greenacre said. "I have said to Ricki that if he needs me again he can count on me. I have left that in his court. Whatever capacity you want me, I will give it 110 per cent."

It's the type of attitude that has seen the Phoenix climb to second on the A-League table. They aren't doing cartwheels yet, knowing they could slip to fourth this weekend with a defeat to Brisbane in Wellington, but their resoluteness has been as important to success as Ifill's wizardry.

They have a difficult run-in with two matches against runaway leaders Central Coast as well as next month's Melbourne (Victory and Heart) double-header in Victoria and they tackle third-placed Brisbane in Wellington on Sunday.

"It's massive, absolutely massive," Greenacre said of the Brisbane game. "What they've achieved and the way they play, it's going to be a difficult day for us.

"It's all about results and not performances. We just have to make sure that on every day we're at our best and if we do that we give ourselves a chance. That's the only way we'll be successful."

Vince Lia will come in at right-back for the suspended Manny Muscat but otherwise the side will remain the same as the one that beat Adelaide 2-1 last weekend to record their fourth-straight win and third on the road.

Herbert doesn't have a lot of depth to call on but he has an extremely settled starting side who he's getting the best out of.

Brisbane, who looked unbeatable earlier in the season in their pursuit of consecutive A-league titles, have suffered an extended lean patch but beat Central Coast 2-0 away from home last weekend.

Greenacre will start again to keep his perfect record for the season intact. His vintage has seen him granted an extra day off from training than his teammates and it has helped him stay hungry and injury-free.

"It's been a surprise to everyone [that I've played every game] but I've thoroughly enjoyed it," said Greenacre, who plans to gain New Zealand citizenship and stay for the medium term. "You don't want your playing days to end and I'm no different. It's been fantastic, especially as it's been a good year, and to know I've played a big part is humbling."