No late changes for Phoenix

It will be business as usual for the Wellington Phoenix – minus their New Zealand national representatives – when the team takes on the Newcastle Jets in their Hyundai A-League 2007/08 round eight clash in Newcastle on Sunday.



Despite Fifa’s decision today to call off New Zealand’s World Cup qualifying match against Fiji set down for Saturday, the Phoenix will not call for their five All Whites players earlier released for international duty to join them or Sunday’s Hyundai A-League match at EnergyAustralia Stadium.



Phoenix assistant coach Wayne O’Sullivan, in charge of the team while head coach Ricki Herbert is in camp with the All Whites, said there was no need to alter the squad’s composition for match against Newcastle.



“It’s disappointing that the All Whites-Fiji match has been called off and that we had five important players out of the mix for the Phoenix, but we’re happy with how the squad we’ve named has performed this week,” O’Sullivan said.



“Given that we’ve worked with this group of players throughout the week on various strategic aspects regarding this weekend’s match, we see no need to alter our thinking with regards to personnel.”



While Saturday’s World Cup qualifier between New Zealand and Fiji has been called off, the five Phoenix players on national duty – Tim Brown, Mark Paston, Tony Lochhead, Jeremy Christie and Shane Smeltz – will remain in camp with the All Whites ahead of their match against Fiji in Lautoka on Wednesday.



Meanwhile, the Phoenix will take an extended squad to Newcastle for Sunday’s match, though Brazilian midfielder Felipe has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.



“We were always mindful of ensuring Felipe was fully fit for the match against Newcastle and, despite the fact his recovery has gone exceptionally well, we’re simply not prepared to risk playing him on Sunday,” O’Sullivan said.



“The match against the Jets will be a test of our depth but we’re fortunate that we have an exceptional squad to draw on.”



Sunday’s match will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 2 from 6pm (NZT).



Wellington Phoenix FC squad: 4. CLEBERSON, 5. Karl DODD, 7. Ross ALOISI (captain), 8. Vaughan COVENY, 10. Michael FERRANTE, 11. DANIEL, 12. Richard JOHNSON, 13. Steven OLD, 14. Steven O’DOR, 15. George PALADINI, 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ahmad ELRICH, 19. Greg DRAPER, 20. Glen MOSS (gk), 22. Royce BROWNLIE, 23. Costa BARBAROUSES, 30. Jacob SPOONLEY (gk). *two to be omitted