Nothing will divert Ricki Herbert's attention from his side's A-League debut on August 26, certainly not the Pre-Season Cup starting next weekend.
The Phoenix kick off their pre-season campaign at Central Coast next Saturday but coach Herbert has little concern for the scoreline.
"Results are secondary," he said."It's not often I say that but we can't afford to change tack when it comes to things like our fitness and relationship between the players because we have to be up and running on August 26. We're not like a Melbourne, who can just largely cut and paste their team from last season. We are behind the other teams."
Herbert could be without as many as six of his 19 players next Saturday, with skipper Ross Aloisi suspended and vice-captain Tim Brown a major doubt with a groin injury. Mark Paston (foot), Vince Lia (knee), Richard Johnson (Achilles) and Karl Dodd (back) are also doubtful. The three remaining Brazilians - Felipe, Cleberson and George - arrive in Wellington today and Herbert will assess whether they are fit enough to play on Saturday.
He might need trialists or some of the New Zealand under-20s to make up numbers. The Phoenix face Central Coast, Sydney and Queensland in their Pre-Season Cup pool. Their squad still has vacancies for two under-20 players and a right back.
* Dan Keat (knee) is a major doubt for New Zealand's final pool match against Mexico tomorrow morning at the Under-20 World Cup.
Defender Phil Edginton will miss the match through suspension and is likely to be replaced by Jack Pelter.
New Zealand have little chance of progressing to the second round after defeats to Portugal (2-0) and Gambia (1-0), although the highly-rated Mexicans are expected to field a weakened side, given they have already qualified for the next round.
