Soccer: Herbert coy about striker's prospects

Marco Rojas (R) will get another chance to show his skills in tomorrow's away game. Photo / Getty Images

Ricki Herbert was a little coy in discussing Marco Rojas' future after his baby-faced striker had mesmerised Melbourne Victory in Wednesday night's emphatic 2-0 win at Westpac Stadium.

Pressed on where Rojas might be headed - both domestically and internationally - Herbert was not being drawn.

"Marco is fully contracted to the Phoenix until the end of the season," Herbert confirmed.

Asked whether a player regarded as perhaps the hottest property in the Hyundai A-League was attracting offers from elsewhere, Herbert said he was not aware at this stage of any other interest.

"I am not surprised with what he has done. You have to remember he had eight months out with an ankle problem and needed surgery. With that injury behind him he is now showing us what he is capable of.

"The club [Phoenix] will do everything to retain him. Certainly, there is no pressure on him at this stage. We want to talk to him at the appropriate time. As I am aware, he does not have an agent so any dealing will be with Marco and his parents which is probably in our favour."

Of the chances of an All Whites call-up for the internationals against China and Japan in March, Herbert said, "without naming names, it would be beneficial to take new faces to those games. There could be five or six newcomers".

Rojas will get another chance to show his skills in tomorrow's difficult away game against high-flying Central Coast Mariners in Gosford.

Herbert took the same squad who dealt to the Victory across the Tasman yesterday and is unlikely to make any changes to his starting X1.

"I was happy with the way we played," said Herbert. "It was even better than we did against Newcastle. Melbourne are a better team than the Jets."

Like the club and their supporters, Herbert is anxious to see better results from the games in Australia.

"If we could get four of the six points from our next two games - away to Central Coast and a week later Brisbane Roar - it would be fantastic. As I have said to the players, if we can pick up one, or preferably three, points every week we are keeping ourselves in with a realistic chance of making the play-offs."

While the away results have been disappointing at times, Herbert points to the 0-0 draw with Melbourne Victory back in September as his benchmark. "That result showed what we are capable of achieving away from home."

Now, his players refreshed after a break, it is back to business in a race Herbert is certain will go down to the wire. He is looking to maximum points from remaining home games against the Jets, North Queensland and Perth to keep them in that hunt.

Tomorrow's clash

*Central Coast Mariners v Wellington Phoenix
*Bluetongue Stadium, 7pm tomorrow (live SS2)