Playmaking Caua Benicio, 29, a close friend of Phoenix midfielder Daniel is set to turn out for Team Wellington against Waitakere United in Sunday's New Zealand Football Championship catch-up game at Newtown Park.
Team Wellington coach Stu Jacobs is one of Herbert's assistants at the Phoenix and itis an obvious path for a player who has a "more than useful" tag and with recent experience in the lower levels in Sweden and Portugal.
In another move at the club, injured captain Andy Barron, who is poised to head off for trials in England next month, has been elevated to "marquee player" status - a move which has found little favour.
Waitakere chairman Rex Dawkins tagged the decision "a sham" while Auckland City chairman Ivan Vuksich questions New Zealand Football bosses for allowing it "when they should be looking after their family [the NZFC clubs]".
Team Wellington can return to the top of the table with a win on Sunday whereas a loss would relegate them to third behind City and Waitakere.
The home side will also have defender Cole Tinkler available for the first time while Waitakere will welcome back captain Danny Hay and fellow defender Darren Bazeley who missed last week's scrappy win over Otago United.
