Football: Fenton to miss Phoenix's meeting with Jets

The Phoenix look on track for a deep run into the post-season given their position midway through the A-League season. Photo / Getty Image

All Whites defender Michael Boxall is likely to get his chance to stake a claim for a regular role with the Wellington Phoenix on Sunday as Louis Fenton has been ruled out of this week's match against the Newcastle Jets in Lower Hutt.

Fenton suffered a concussion after being struck in the jaw by a thunderous shot during Wellington's 0-all draw with Melbourne City at the Hutt Recreation Ground on Saturday.

The absence of Fenton will likely open the door for Boxall, who has been limited to nine appearances from the bench this season; a couple of which have been at right back.

"Michael's come on twice in that position and he's done a great job so he's probably going to be the person that slides in," Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick said.

Merrick added the Phoenix were following concussion protocols around Fenton and he would continue to be monitored.

The Phoenix haven't been able to find a goal in their past two games amid a slow return to action following the Asian Cup break where they've lost two games and drawn one but Merrick said that should change against the lowly Jets on Sunday.

"We are playing some terrific football in the midfield. I don't think we are playing our best defensive stuff in the midfield at the moment but we are certainly creating chances up front," he said.

Wellington have come in for some brutal attention from opposition sides in recent weeks who have targeted the Phoenix with rugged play in a bid to slow their attack down.

"I think the tackling on our players has been pretty tough and it's not a great sight," Merrick said.

"Are we going to play football or are we going to play some other game?"

Merrick said his side wouldn't meet fire with fire and they would remain focused on playing their brand of football.

"I don't want to get in to that. It then deteriorates; we are a ball-playing side. We've really improved, I think, the technical skill level and we'll keep playing the way we've been playing that's got us in to the fourth spot [on the ladder] at the moment."

Meanwhile, following the sudden departure of goalkeeping coach Jonathan Gould, who has joined English Premier League side West Bromwich Albion, All Whites goalkeeping mentor Paul Gothard has been working with the Phoenix this week.

Gothard has coached Phoenix reserve team custodian Oliver Sail for a few years and is familiar with Phoenix No 1 Glen Moss from their time together with the national side.

Gothard's time in Wellington is only short-term and Merrick said a new specialist coach would be confirmed shortly.

"We've got a shortlist of goalkeepers we are working through; we'll announce that as soon as we sign someone," Merrick said.