Football: Ifill has an eye on return to A-League

Paul Ifil. Photo / NZME.

Paul Ifill says he will know in six weeks whether a return to the Wellington Phoenix A-League football side is realistic.

The 35-year-old striker tore his Achilles tendon while playing for the Phoenix in December 2013. Ifill played his first game in 13 months yesterday when he started for ASB Premiership side Team Wellington during their 1-0 victory over Hawkes Bay United in the capital.

Ifill put in a 60-minute shift before he was substituted. He felt some pain in his Achilles but he said that was to be expected.

The former Barbados international remained hopeful of one last run with the Phoenix in the A-League and said he would soon know more about his ability to compete at that level again.

"I'll know in six weeks from now," Ifill said. "If I can get the recovery time down and the leg gets strong enough and I can start pushing off like I used to, then I'll ask the question.

"But if it doesn't, then I'm probably going to have to call it a day because I just won't be good enough."

The Phoenix have a full import quota in their squad so the odds are against Ifill.

He is the Phoenix's all-time leading goal-scorer and the club let him use their facilities during his recovery from surgery on his Achilles, despite not being contracted to the side, which summed up the good relationship between both parties.

Ifill won't be available for Team Wellington's game against WaiBOP United next weekend because of commitments with his academy but he should return for the home outing against Canterbury in two weeks.