Soccer: Phoenix have fingers crossed for Paston

Mark Paston is stretched off during the Phoenix 2-0 loss to Gold Coast. Photo / Getty Images

Wellington Phoenix remain hopeful goalkeeper Mark Paston has not played his last A-League soccer match of the season.

Paston, the All Whites No 1, will undergo a scan today to determine the extent of a knee injury sustained in the Phoenix's 0-2 loss to Gold Coast United at Robina early yesterday morning (NZT).

Paston was stretchered from the Skilled Park turf after a collision with Gold Coast striker Bruce Djite, who landed hard on Paston's right knee in a 42nd minute challenge. There was no fault on the striker's part.

Paston, who turned 34 today, was substituted by Danny Vukovic and looked distraught at halftime as Phoenix team management tried to comfort him.

The club expects to have the results of the scan tomorrow and Phoenix chief executive Nathan Greenham said they remained hopeful the injury was not as serious as it appeared.

"Mark is an incredibly important asset to the club, so not having him available for any length of time is significant for us," Greenham said.

"It certainly appears Mark will be out of action for a matter of weeks but we'll be in a position to know more and to plan accordingly when the results of the scan are through."

Paston was one of the standout players for the All Whites at the World Cup in South Africa earlier this year.

He has a recent history of injury, including suffering a broken leg 12 months ago.

- NZPA