Soccer: Sigmund fit for crucial Mariners game

Ben Sigmund of the Phoenix. Photo / Getty Images

The news is good and bad for the Wellington Phoenix after their 2-0 loss to Brisbane Roar on Sunday, with key defender Ben Sigmund set to play Saturday's crucial away game with A-League leaders Central Coast Mariners.

Sigmund limped off late in Sunday's loss at Westpac Stadium, raising fears he would be out for this game at least but it seems that what was feared might have been a hamstring injury was nothing more than cramp and Sigmund will be fit to travel and play.

But the team will be without captain Andrew Durante.

Durante and midfield enforcer Tim Brown were both booked late in the game by Australian referee Jarred Gillett. In accumulating their fifth bookings of the season the pair face mandatory one-match stand-downs.

Somewhat ironically, had the two players got through without yellow, they would then be free to virtually play the season out as, from this week's round, the card count goes to eight before a suspension is invoked.

Although coach Ricki Herbert is stopping short of pointing the finger at the officials, he is obviously frustrated at the raw deal his players seem to cop.

A week earlier Paul Ifill had a genuine call for a penalty waved on by referee Gerard Parsons who then compounded his blunder by booking Ifill.

Herbert sees a certain irony in the way the Phoenix are perceived across the Tasman and the way in which the officials seem to be caught up in it.

At Sunday's post-match media conference, Herbert laid it on the line.

"We're second in the league and I think that's caused a few concerns for a few people, if I'm honest," said Herbert.

"We've done extremely well this year. Who gave us a chance? If we're honest, not many people in this room. Certainly not many people across the Tasman."

Durante and Herbert also overlooked what appeared a dubious call by the linesman in not flagging for offside as Besart Berisha swept home the opening goal of the match.

While saying he does not feel he and his players are being victimised, Durante makes it clear that he does not think the officials are up to the task.

Herbert must now shuffle the pack and prepare for the match of the round when first hosts third. Manny Muscat is back from his one-match suspension and will slot in at right back, allowing Vince Lia to move centrally and partner Sigmund.

In the other enforced change, Daniel, who played off the bench against the Roar, could start as Herbert attempts to cover Brown's absence in midfield.

Other key games in the play-off race include the Roar at home to Melbourne Victory and Newcastle's trip to Perth.