Soccer: Injury blow for Paston

All Whites and Phoenix goalkeeper Mark Paston faces six weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Mark Paston has played his last A-League soccer match for the year.

The All Whites custodian will be sidelined for four to six weeks because of a knee injury, a Phoenix club spokesman confirmed today.

Paston will be replaced in goal for the Phoenix's next match, against Sydney in Palmerston North on Saturday night, by his understudy Reece Crowther.

Paston has been in top form this season, both for the Phoenix and the All Whites, who he helped to beat Bahrain in a home and away playoff to qualify for next year's World Cup.

- NZPA