KEY POINTS:
The on-the-road-again Wellington Phoenix are back in Brisbane for the second time in five weeks tomorrow with revenge on their minds.
Beaten 2-1 on often shifty Suncorp Stadium surface in their round seven clash - the start of a four-game losing streak - Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert prefers to look back to more recent times, last weekend's 1-0 win in Perth, as motivation.
Given the problems - injuries and suspensions - Melbourne Victory must overcome in their always-bitter battle with Sydney FC, the Phoenix could further close the gap on the Ernie Merrick-coached Victorians who go into today's match at Telstra Dome just three points ahead of the Wellington-based side.
Phoenix defender Steve O'Dor will be a spectator at today's game in his home town after being ruled out of the trip to the Sunshine State.
After having troublesome wisdom teeth extracted and with further surgery on his nose which has been broken a couple of times this season, O'Dor is having the weekend off and will rejoin the team on Tuesday to prepare for the home game against Sydney next Saturday when Herbert, and five Phoenix players will be absent on international duty.
In O'Dor's absence, Steven Old will join the consistent Karl Dodd in the heart of the Phoenix defence. Regular fullbacks Jeremy Christie and Tony Lochhead, along with goalkeeper Glen Moss bring the stability at the back.
With Ross Aloisi still sidelined with his back/lower leg injury, Tim Brown will again lead the team from midfield where he will be joined by Richard Johnson and Vince Lia with Ahmad Elrich and Daniel providing attacking support for Shane Smeltz.
"Queensland won't be easy," said Herbert. "They beat [top of the table] Adelaide away last weekend and have been in pretty good form lately. I think we will be up for it though and ready to give it a good shot."
Herbert said the decision to release Brazilian's Cleberson and George Paladini had had no impact on the squad or the remaining South Americans this week.
"Daniel is a great guy. He is brilliant on and off the field," said Herbert. "He is really nice to work with. While Felipe is not starting on Sunday, he has trained the house down and seems certain to get some time off the bench."
Daniel (suspended) and Felipe (hamstring injury) missed the last game at Suncorp which forced Smeltz to play a wider than usual role.
Shane Smeltz, one of the quiet achievers for the Phoenix, will be a danger and perhaps the catalyst for a victory the club is looking for ahead of a return to their home ground next week after games in Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane.
Match facts
Queensland Roar v Wellington Phoenix
Suncorp Stadium, tomorrow 8pm (NZ time) live SS3
Phoenix: Glen Moss, Jeremy Christie, Steven Old, Karl Dodd, Tony Lochhead, Tim Brown (c), Richard Johnson, Vince Lia, Ahmad Elrich, Daniel, Shane Smeltz. Substitutes: Mark Paston, Michael Ferrante, Felipe, Royce Brownlie.
