Unlikely role model Ben Sigmund is poised to step up for the Wellington Phoenix and take over the captain's armband for Saturday's A-League clash with competition leaders Central Coast Mariners in Gosford.
The Phoenix were hit with a double blow in the closing minutes of last Sunday's 2-0 loss to Brisbane Roar when captain Andrew Durante and his deputy Tim Brown both received their fifth yellow cards of the season.
The duo have been all but indispensable for the third-placed Phoenix this year, but will sit out Saturday's match as the Wellington club look to continue their winning away form against the suddenly stuttering Mariners.
Central Coast go into Saturday's match with their 10-point lead at the top of the table halved following losses to Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar.
Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert says Sigmund's leadership role within the Phoenix has been huge: "He wears his heart on his sleeve and he won't back down from anything."
Sigmund, who picked up a host of yellow cards last season, has made a conscious effort to tighten his discipline this year and has only three from 20 games.
"Last year I got up to about seven or eight. You're disappointed in yourself, but also disappointed when you let the team down," he said.
"When you miss games, you're absolutely gutted, so it's something I've worked really hard at."
While Sigmund and veteran striker Chris Greenacre are in line to cover Durante's leadership role, Herbert says he's still pondering on-field options to replace the suspended duo pair on Saturday.
Brent Griffiths is a good chance to step in to central defence, while Manny Muscat, who missed the Roar game with a suspension, could slip into the midfield or at right back.
NZN