The Phoenix returned from Newcastle with only one injury concern as veteran midfielder Vince Lia's calf continues to bother him and there's a good chance he will spend the next two weeks on the sideline, including Saturday's game against the Central Coast Mariners in Auckland.
"We just don't want to risk it at this time of year," Merrick said.
Merrick also said there would be no complacency from his side when they meet the eighth-placed Mariners, despite Central Coast's poor start to the season, which has seen them win only one game from their first nine.
"Whether it's a slow start or not, we just know that they're going to be a challenge every time we play them."
Returning right back Louis Fenton (shoulder) could be an option to start in defence this weekend after he impressed off the bench last Saturday with his ability to provide an attacking edge from deep.
"We are not the same team unless our fullbacks get forward," Merrick said.
If Fenton was to start, it would likely come at the expense of left back Tom Doyle, which would force Manny Muscat to the other side of the paddock.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix have confirmed they've received strong interest for their three home matches that will be played at the Hutt Rec in the New Year after tickets went on sale to the general public today.
Because Westpac Stadium is out of commission in February and March due to the Cricket World Cup, the Phoenix will play at a boutique temporary stadium in Lower Hutt that will have a likely capacity of 8500.
The Phoenix said 4000 tickets have been reserved for members, of which about half have been allocated, while another 1000 tickets were sold today.
"There's no doubt that the Phoenix's terrific form at the moment, including Nathan Burns being the A-League's top goal scorer and playing attractive football with five wins in nine games, all helps," Phoenix general manager David Dome said.
