Soccer: Sigmund running hot for Phoenix

Wellington Phoenix. Photo / Getty Images

Ben Sigmund faced the prospect of hot and cold baths this week.

It's not something he enjoys, but it's something he did because he was told it was good for him after cramping up last weekend - and because he knows how much the Wellington Phoenix need him tomorrow.

Sigmund is an important player most weeks, but his presence will be doubly important for the away game against league-leading Central Coast Mariners because of the absence of suspended Andrew Durante (captain) and Tim Brown (vice captain).

Sigmund is in career-best form and will need to help Brent Griffiths, the most likely replacement for Durante in central defence, through the game. He's also a candidate to take over the captaincy.

"There's a little extra pressure on me to do well but you can only do so much as an individual,'' Sigmund said. "It's up to everyone else around you to do their jobs. That's one reason why we have been so successful this year because everyone has done their job. The people coming in have to step up because we want to focus on [finishing in] the top two because that's where it's at at the moment.''

The Phoenix are third on the A-League table, two points behind Brisbane and seven adrift of the Mariners who also have a game in hand. They have a difficult run-in with two games against the Central Coast as well as the Melbourne double header against the Heart and Victory but believe they have a chance of finishing in the all-important top two ahead of the playoffs.

Four of their last six are away from home and the Phoenix have gone some way to demystifying playing on the road after winning their last three away from the Cake Tin.

Manny Muscat will return from suspension and most likely slot straight back into right-back, allowing Vince Lia to assume Brown's role in central midfield. Another option is Lia staying at fullback, where he filled in for Muscat last week, with Muscat playing in the midfield.

It changes a very settled and successful recent formula but Central Coast are under pressure after losing their last two to come back to the pack. Mariners midfielder Michael McGlinchey, however, didn't believe there was anything to be concerned about.

"We had such a good run, I think 16 games undefeated, and we've had two defeats,'' the All White said. "We came up against Brisbane, who are always going to be difficult, and then got done by two world-class goals against Melbourne [Victory]. Form-wise, I don't think we have dipped too much. We still feel we are playing good football.

"Wellington are a physical team. They have a lot of hard workers but also have a guy like Paul Ifill who can change a game and win a game in a heartbeat. We will definitely have to watch the danger players and match them in the physical battle.''

The contest is one of Sigmund's strengths but he has added more to his game this season. He has worked hard on his ball distribution as well as his discipline - areas he considered his weaknesses - and believes he is in the best form of his career.

"It just seems to be getting better and better,'' he said. "I have been working on the things I wasn't so good at.

"I'm just enjoying it. I guess at the moment it is career-best form. Hopefully I can carry it on and maybe the older I get the better I get ... but I won't be playing until I am 40, that's for sure.''

It would take infinitely more cold baths for him to do that.