Soccer: Herbert wary of back-to-back matches

Phoenix defender Tony Lochhead. Photo / Getty Images

Wellington Phoenix soccer coach Ricki Herbert faces a tricky balancing act with his players as they prepare for the second of three A-League matches in eight days.

Following last Saturday's 2-1 win against Sydney FC in Wellington, the Phoenix play away against Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park tomorrow night and back up against Melbourne Heart at the same venue on Sunday.

Herbert has taken an extended squad of 17 to Melbourne in the knowledge he may have to rest key players at some stage.

Midfielder Vince Lia, goalkeeper Mark Paston and defender Jade North have been added to the squad that beat Sydney while goalkeeper Griffin McMaster drops out.

Lia (hamstring) and Paston (neck) return from injury, although Herbert suggested Lia would only be available for Sunday's match.

Herbert is wary of the need for fresh legs as he eyes at least one win from the Melbourne double-header.

"Some players might not go Saturday, Wednesday, Sunday - it will be tough for them to back up," Herbert told NZPA.

"I thought the players worked really well on Saturday but they did a lot of work. Players like (Paul) Ifill and (Chris) Greenacre you've got to be a little bit careful with.

"If some play (tomorrow) they might not play on Sunday, but that's not so concerning as we have some good depth to bring in now."

Manny Muscat will retain his spot as the holding midfielder in a probable starting midfield trio including Nick Ward and Tim Brown.

The same front three - Ifill, Greenacre and Leo Bertos - can be expected to start against Victory, as long as they come through today's training without any ill-effects from Saturday.

Herbert is tossing up whether to give defender North his first start tomorrow, or hold him back a few more days.

If he does opt for the Australian international, All White Ben Sigmund could be the man to make way at centre back.

"The last thing we want to do is throw him in and expose him when he's not 100 percent right, but he's a quality player so at some stage he will be part of the XI," Herbert said of North.

"Siggy might be one that we look at from a rest point of view. But it would only be a rest, certainly nothing to do with his performance."

Wellington, who have lost their two away matches this season to Brisbane and Perth, are sixth after six rounds in the 11-team league while Victory are fourth.

Victory will be without captain Kevin Muscat, who suffered an ankle injury during Sunday's 3-0 home win against Brisbane, while striker Robbie Kruse has been ruled out with a calf injury.

- NZPA