KEY POINTS:
Ricki Herbert faces a selection dilemma as the Wellington Phoenix look to build on their breakthrough A-League victory.
Back to play their fifth round game in Wellington this week after the deserved 2-1 away win over hotshots Sydney FC, Herbert will have all but one of his squad pressing for a place in the 15 he must name for the Saturday night fixture against Adelaide United.
For the first time, all players trained yesterday morning with only Vince Lia not being considered for this week's game at Westpac Stadium.
"It was great to have a full turnout for the first time," said Herbert.
"But having so many players available does not make my job any easier especially as the players who played against Sydney did so well."
Of the 23 players on the Phoenix books, only youngsters Greg Draper, Jacob Spoonley and Costa Barbarouses, All Whites Mark Paston and Tim Brown, Lia and Brazilian midfielder George have yet to appear for the Phoenix in this competition.
Herbert is a little torn as he also prepares to name his All Whites squad for next month's games against Vanuatu.
With seven Phoenix players in his national squad, Herbert will need some juggling to cover both bases on the weekend of October 13-14 with the All Whites set to play their away leg of the Vanuatu series on the Saturday and the Phoenix away to Newcastle Jets the following day.
For that reason, Herbert might be keen to get Brown and Paston into action with their club side sooner rather than later.
Herbert and assistant coach Brian Turner have had preliminary discussions on the likely make-up of the All Whites squad which is likely to be named late next week.
It is likely goalkeepers Paston and Glen Moss will be given one job each that weekend with Spoonley acting as cover for one or other.
"No player will be named for both teams that weekend," said Herbert. "That would not be fair."
With Port Vila ruled out for Vanuatu's home game, New Zealand Football chief executive Graham Seatter yesterday offered to host both legs with the first game in Christchurch and the second four days later in Wellington.
Of more pressing concern is Saturday's league game and the chance to improve their fifth place on the A-League points table.
Adelaide, beaten 1-0 by Newcastle, are now a point behind the Phoenix and still chasing their first win of the season.
Leaders Central Coast Mariners dropped their first points in being held 0-0 in Melbourne, losing influential Tony Vidmar in the process when he was sent off three minutes into stoppage time.
Queensland scored their first win - 2-1 in Perth - snapping Perth's run of three scoreless draws.
