Soccer: Ward may provide needed spark

Newcomer, Nick Ward (centre), will add spark to the Phoenix. Photo / Getty Images

An uninspiring effort from his much-touted strikeforce against Brisbane Roar may just be the incentive for Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert to pitch new signing Nick Ward straight into action in Perth tomorrow.

Paul Ifill, Chris Greenacre and Dylan Macallister failed to flatter at Suncorp, contributing little as the Phoenix slumped 1-0.

Ward, signed midweek from Melbourne Victory as an attacking midfielder, might just provide the spark.

He could put pressure on Leo Bertos for a starting spot.

"In the Victory's premiership season in 2008/09, Nick was quite prolific in scoring goals. He played a major role for them," said Herbert.

"So bringing a proven goalscoring midfielder will certainly add something for us."

Ward, 25, a former age group international who has played at Queens Park Rangers in England, joined his new team-mates in Perth - a city he is not unfamiliar with, having played for the Glory in 2005/06, scoring five goals in 21 outings.

Ward trained with the team yesterday and will have another run today.

Herbert has brought Ward into the squad as a straight swap for Manny Muscat - on international duty for Malta - but will start Troy Hearfield in Muscat's right back role.

Goalkeeper Mark Paston is under some scrutiny and a decision on who will start has yet to be made.

"I will check on Mark on Saturday," said Herbert before leaving with the team on Thursday.

"We have to be confident he can kick and that includes dead balls otherwise we will probably go with Danny Vukovic."

David Mitchell and his Perth players see this game as payback time.

In last season's play-offs the Phoenix and Glory played out a 1-1 draw at Westpac Stadium before the home side progressed 4-2 in a penalty shootout.

In three Hyundai A-League regular season meetings last season honours were shared, with the Phoenix winning 2-1 and drawing 1-1 at home before losing 2-0 away.

Overall in 10 clashes, the Phoenix have won four, the Glory three and three have been drawn.

The home side will be without Michael Baird for tomorrow's game at nib Stadium as he sits out the first of two matches after being banned by the Match Review Panel for simulation against Melbourne Heart last Sunday.

It was a post-match decision which raised the ire of Mitchell and his club and has led Herbert and captain Andrew Durante to warn the Phoenix players to tread warily.

"If they get pinged for diving that is their problem," said Herbert.

"Measures like those taken by the review panel will stop simulation which is something all coaches will be happy about. I think they have done the right thing [in banning the two players for two weeks] as long as it is fair."

Perth Glory v Wellington Phoenix
Nib Stadium, Perth
Tomorrow 7pm (live SS1)