Soccer: Hernandez ready to give Phoenix much-needed fire

Coach Ernie Merrick with Carlos Hernandez (right). Photo / Getty Images

Carlos Hernandez is the type of player the Wellington Phoenix have missed in the past few years.

The former Costa Rican international is a genuine attacking midfielder who plays in a central role in the No10 model.

The lack of such a player is one of the key reasons the Phoenix have struggled to make a giant stride to win an A-League title since they joined the competition in 2007.

Hernandez is a bit of an enigma and during his time with the Melbourne Victory from 2007-12 he went from winning the Johnny Warren Medal as the league's best player in the 2009-10 season to looking uninterested.

After a spell with Prayag United in India, Hernandez has found his way back Downunder and was one of the major signings former coach Ricki Herbert made for the Phoenix.

Ernie Merrick's arrival in Wellington reunited the Scotsman with Hernandez after the pair enjoyed success together in Melbourne when Merrick coached the Victory.

Hernandez's conditioning has often been a concern but Merrick said his mercurial midfielder was in trim form heading into the season-opener against Brisbane in Wellington tomorrow.

"He tells me every day what his weight is," Merrick said. "He came here 85.5kg and even [yesterday] morning he says 'I've lost another 300g'. He's down to just over 80kg. When - if my memory serves me right - he won MVP for the best player in the A-League, I think he was 84. He put on more weight after that but it's probably the best shape I've ever seen him in."

Hearing a coach say this is nothing new in the sporting world but it might give a dose of confidence to Phoenix fans who hope Hernandez can recapture some of his best form.

The large expectations attached to the 31-year-old didn't appear to be weighing on his shoulders after training yesterday.

"Pressure? No, no. No pressure," he said. "I've played for 10 years as a professional and the more important thing for me is to be back in the A-League now and I'm fit."

He added: "I'm very fresh. It's important that Carlos plays good and now I'm focused for Wellington and focused for the first game on Sunday."

The Phoenix will be without regulars Jeremy Brockie, Andrew Durante, Leo Bertos and Glen Moss as they are on international duty with the All Whites.

Their absence has created notable holes which Merrick has had to plug with a collection of his young players, while a couple of others have joined the squad in a short-term capacity.

Questions remain about their ability to defend down the flanks with the unproven Reece Caira starting at left back while Merrick was waiting till the last minute to decide on his right back.