Soccer: Phoenix likely to sign cover

English-born defender Shaun Timmins is set to sign an injury replacement contract with the Wellington Phoenix. Photo / Getty Images.

English-born defender Shaun Timmins is set to sign an injury replacement contract with the Wellington Phoenix as coach Ernie Merrick tries to juggle a bulging injury list.

Leftback Reece Caira will miss the rest of the season with a fractured cheekbone suffered in last Thursday's 5-1 loss to Adelaide United. That came on the back of the season-ending adductor muscle injury to Albert Riera and doubts over the fitness of Kenny Cunningham who has a foot problem.

Louis Fenton (shoulder) and Paul Ifill (Achilles) are also out for the remainder of the regular season, while Leo Bertos is working his way back to full fitness from a groin complaint.

With the Phoenix on the cusp of the playoffs with six games remaining, Merrick has moved to bolster his squad.

Timmins represented the Republic of Ireland at age group level after being eligible through his Irish father and has played a handful of games in central defence for Team Wellington in the ASB Premiership.

He's yet to sign officially but could be available for this weekend's home game against the Perth Glory. The biggest sticking point appears to be around whether he will be classed as an import or a local given he has lived in Australia lately.

The 22-year-old has lived in Perth for just over three years and has also represented Green Gully in the Victorian Premier League. Team Wellington utility Andrew Blake also trained with the Phoenix today.

Caira was due to be sent for another scan this afternoon but is expected to have surgery shortly.

Cunningham, who has scored five goals in his past six games, took a knock to an existing foot injury during the heavy defeat to Adelaide and, although he has recovered well following initial fears his foot may be fractured, is still in serious doubt for Sunday's game.

Carlos Hernandez is also an unlikely starter this weekend due to an ongoing calf problem, which leaves Merrick with headaches at left-back and in midfield.

Josh Brindell-South, who has experienced a tough introduction at A-League level, seems likely to play on the left side of defence this weekend, while Matthew Ridenton should feature somewhere in the midfield. Manny Muscat is suspended for Sunday after he copped a red card against Adelaide.

Merrick will be hoping his six All Whites come through tonight's friendly against Japan unscathed.