Soccer: No replacement for Pavlovic

Mirjan Pavlovic's contract with the Wellington Phoenix has been terminated by mutual consent. Photo / Getty Images.

The Wellington Phoenix have no immediate plans to replace striker Mirjan Pavlovic after his contract was terminated by mutual consent today.

The 23-year-old and the club have parted ways a month after an intriguing press release was circulated by the Phoenix that stated: ``Wellington Phoenix footballer Mirjan Pavlovic has a medical condition which restricts his ability to play professional football.

"The club will be making no further comment on this until such time as the condition is resolved.''

Pavlovic was signed in 2010 after making a handful of appearances in the A-League for the Newcastle Jets and in November of that year had his contract extended for another two seasons through to March next year.

He had been on loan at NSW Premier League side Sydney United recently, a club he had previously played for.

A Phoenix spokesman said an extra player may be signed to the roster but any player decisions would have to go through head coach Ricki Herbert who is away on international duty in China with the All Whites this week.

The club have continued to remain tight-lipped about the `medical condition' that hindered Pavlovic.

He made a limited impact and in 25 appearances for the club - 24 of which were from the bench - he scored two goals.

He was one of only six Phoenix players to have been shown a red card after he was given his marching orders for a reckless challenge on Perth's Steve Pantelidis during a game in December last year.

Pavlovic also broke his arm in September last year after attempting an overhead kick at the end of training, which ruled him out for two months.

Up front the Phoenix have former Belgian international Stein Huysegems, All White Jeremy Brockie and 17-year-old Tyler Boyd, while Benjamin Totori has also been used as a striker this season.

Ricardo Clarke, who is on loan from Panama outfit Sporting San Miguelito, is also available but has played only one game from the bench this year.

Of the potential replacements, school of excellence player Tom Biss shapes as a solid option given his impressive debut against Melbourne Heart in week two when the Phoenix were without a host of players due to international commitments.