Soccer: Phoenix close to signing Elliott

Simon Elliott. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Simon Elliott's footballing wilderness looks set to end with the All Whites midfielder on the verge of signing for the Phoenix.

The 36-year-old has been without a club since he was released by the San Jose Earthquakes on the eve of the American MLS season in March, despite the fact he impressed at the World Cup.

But Elliott is expected to sign a short-term deal with Wellington which could see him play as many as 10 games.

The two parties have been in serious talks since Elliott met up with the All Whites for the home internationals against Honduras and Paraguay and there have been a number of offers and counter-offers.

On Friday, the Phoenix approached Premiership side Auckland City to take over his registration. Elliott trained with Auckland City for four weeks before the All Whites games and agreed to hold his registration with them.

He was listed in Auckland's O-League squad for their game against Magenta last Saturday and had talked about playing a handful of games for them if nothing else cropped up.

"It was an outside, outside, outside chance if everything else fell through," Auckland chairman Ivan Vuksich said. "We were aware he was talking to the Phoenix but he agreed to register with us and might have played three or four matches in November and December, which would have been fantastic."

But all that changed on Friday when the Phoenix asked Vuksich for Elliott's registration. It is likely he will be signed as a guest player before returning to the US where he wants to pick up another MLS contract.

The Newcastle Jets on Friday signed former England, Arsenal and Everton striker Francis Jeffers on a 10-game guest contract.

While Wellington have a number of central midfielders, including Tim Brown, Vince Lia and Nick Ward, it is one area that has under-performed. Brown and Ward have one goal each but there is little creativity from the middle of the park with Wellington's preference to attack down the flanks through Paul Ifill and Leo Bertos.

Elliott has shown a wide range in his passing in recent times and was excellent at the World Cup and in the two home internationals. He would also provide something different for a team which is struggling to match pre-season expectations and, as a Wellingtonian, might get a few more punters through the turnstiles.

Auckland City might also be without David Mulligan for next Sunday's crucial Premiership match against cross-town rivals Waitakere United.

Mulligan played in yesterday's 0-0 draw with Team Wellington but left for Singapore last night for a one week trial when a series of games will be played in front of S-League scouts.

The All Whites midfielder has been one of Auckland's best in the early part of the season. Waitakere captain Jake Butler is also trialling.

Mulligan won't miss too much of the domestic season, even if he does secure a contract, as the Singapore season does not start until April.

"We wouldn't lose him for the season," Vucksich said, "but if we are successful he might miss some of the critical games at the end of the season. It would be disappointing but he made it clear to us that he was trying to find a professional contract somewhere so we went into it with our eyes open."

Fellow All White Ivan Vicelich is due back in the country in 10 days after his short stint with Chinese Super League club Shenzhen Ruby but will be forced to sit out a 30-day stand-down period before he can play for Auckland.