By Greg Pearson
The Phoenix head across the Tasman this weekend and the team is looking to extend their away winning streak.
They are taking on league leaders, the Central Coast Mariners and they are without two key players.
Today’s training is as close as Andrew Durante will get to football this week.
A fifth yellow card for the season means the Phoenix captain will be forced to sit out Saturday’s clash with the Mariners with suspension.
Coach Ricki Herbert says Durante’s form this year has been “outstanding”.
“I think performance as well as leadership is going to be missing,” he says.
Joining Durante on the sideline will be Tim Brown, after the midfielder also received his fifth booking of the season in the Phoenix's two-nil loss to the Brisbane Roar.
Despite copping four yellow cards, Herbert is not blaming the officials for his side’s first defeat in five games.
“At the end of the day we had chances that we didn't put away, and we have to accept that,” he says. “We're certainly not shedding the blame to anyone else, we've got to accept it and more on, and I’m sure there'll be some other interesting decisions as the season unfolds.”
The loss to the Roar also dropped the Phoenix to third on the congested league ladder and now need a win to stay in home playoff position.
“They're a good side but they've had a couple of losses on the bounce as well, I don't think we go over there with any fear. “We go over there with confidence. We've got a couple of players out but it opens the door for a couple more.”
Manny Muscat will likely return to the starting eleven, while Ben Sigmund is tipped to wear the captain's armband in Durante's absence.
“If I did get it it'd be a huge honour and I’d be absolutely rapt.”
The run into the playoffs will not be easy for the Phoenix with four of six matches on the road.
But to help their chances the team will spend the week between away fixtures in Australia.
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