Tony Lochhead to return for Phoenix

Wellington Phoenix left back Tony Lochhead is likely to return from a groin injury for the club's visit to Adelaide United on Friday night.

The All Whites defender has been sidelined for three weeks after he was injured in the home victory over Perth, and his position has been filled by Brent Griffiths and Manny Muscat in his absence.

Lochhead's inclusion appears likely to be the only change to the 15 who will travel to Australia from the squad that hammered the Newcastle Jets 5-2 at Westpac Stadium on Friday night.

Griffiths will drop out of the squad completely and, considering how out of his depth he looked two weeks ago in the 3-1 loss to Melbourne Victory, it would be a surprise to see him again this season bar injury.

Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert said it was great to have the experience of Lochhead back in the mix, although he wasn't sure if he would start.

"Yeah, he'll travel ... He's been good, actually. He's done a lot of work in the gym, so I think he'll be reasonably fit.

"I'll see [if he will start] I'll just see what he's like over the next couple of days. We've got a training session there too. So touch wood, hopefully, he comes through that. So I'd like to give him some time anyway, even if he doesn't start."

If Lochhead doesn't start, Muscat will stay at left back after he played there against Newcastle when Griffiths was relegated to the bench following the Melbourne loss, with Vince Lia on the right side of defence.

The most impressive part of the bumper win over Newcastle though was the attacking end of the park, led by two-goal hero Dani Sanchez, who thrived in the centre of midfield.

Winger Daniel was given a rare opportunity to start and he repaid Herbert's faith as he laid on three assists and Herbert said it would be unlikely to see any changes at the front of the pitch.

"The others did a good job. So we are happy with that. I'm pretty happy with the whole squad, really, at the moment. We are starting to get most players back on deck."

Adelaide sit at the foot of the A-League ladder, but have new coach John Kosmina on board to fire them up.

"I think we are probably going in to a tough one," Herbert said.