Wellington Phoenix head coach Giancarlo ‘Chiefy’ Italiano is looking to sign a number 10 with the club’s vacant visa spot during the January transfer window. He also revealed Marco Rojas’ injury is worse than expected and is doubtful to return before the end of the Isuzu UTE A-League season.
Wellington are ninth – seven points outside the top six, and dealing with some injuries in the absence of Stefan Colakovski (season-ending knee injury), Rojas, captain Alex Rufer and Tim Payne.
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Ahead of Wednesday’s matchup against in-form Sydney FC, Italiano was asked if he would be utilising the free visa spot and he told reporters: “At the moment, an ideal world if we had everyone available I wouldn’t have to bring in another visa spot. I’m very happy with the squad.
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“But unfortunately, our talents depleted so not only do we need to add to the starting team, we also need to add depth coming off the bench. It’s an issue for us at the moment. It’s a big burden to place on the younger players.
“It’s something I’m very protective of because I think it’s unrealistic for everyone to think those young players automatically perform.
“The visa spot fixes that.”
Already looking at “one or two” players, Italiano was pressed further on what kind of player the Phoenix needed.
“Definitely a 10,” he replied. “I’m not hiding away from that. I think that’s what we need.
“We need someone to bring Kosta (Barbarouses) into the game. Hideki (Ishige) as well. It’s very important we get the right linkage and that will fix a lot of our progressive issues at the moment.
“We don’t have someone who has those characteristics… it’s very important for us to fill that.”
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Italiano also provided an update on Phoenix star and New Zealand international Rojas, who is set to miss 12 weeks due to an ankle injury.
Rojas has not been seen since rolling his ankle in training, with his last appearance a start against Macarthur Bulls on December 14.
Originally set to miss six weeks, the 33-year-old – who has played 123 minutes of A-Leagues football in 2024-25 after returning to the Phoenix, is in a race against time to be fit before the end of the campaign.
“We got a scan back for Marco. It was worse than expected so it’s going to be a real long-term injury with him,” Italiano said.
“It’s an unusual strain inside the ankle,” he continued. “Usually it’s usual to roll the outside ligaments, he’s rolled inside so it’s worse than expected.
“We were hoping it would be six weeks return to play, now it looks like maybe 12.”
Asked whether he would return before the end of the season, Italiano replied: “Highly unlikely at this stage… well within 12 weeks.”
Team news – Wellington Phoenix v Sydney FC
Wellington Phoenix squad: 1. Josh OLUWAYEMI (gk), 3. Corban PIPER, 4. Scott WOOTTON, 5. Fin ROA CONCHIE, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Paulo RETRE, 9. Hideki ISHIGE, 12. Mo AL-TAAY, 15. Isaac HUGHES, 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 19. Sam SUTTON, 23. Luke SUPYK, 25. Kazuki NAGASAWA, 27. Matt SHERIDAN, 29. Luke BROOKE-SMITH, 30. Alby KELLY-HEALD (gk), 36. Xuan LOKE, 39. Jayden SMITH, 41. Nathan WALKER
(One to be omitted)
Ins: 36. Xuan LOKE (promoted)
Outs: 17. Gabriel SLOANE-RODRIGUES (injured)
Unavailable: 6. Tim PAYNE (injured), 11. Stefan COLAKOVSKI (injured), 14. Alex RUFER (c) (illness), 17. Gabriel SLOANE-RODRIGUES (injured), 21. Marco ROJAS (injured)
Sydney FC squad: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE, 3. Aaron GURD, 4. Jordan COURTNEY-PERKINS, 5. Hayden MATTHEWS, 6. Corey HOLLMAN, 7. Adrian SEGECIC, 8. Anas OUAHIM, 9. Patryk KLIMALA, 10. Joe LOLLEY, 12. Harrison DEVENISH-MEARES, 13. Pat WOOD, 15. Leo SENA, 16. Joel KING, 17. Anthony CACERES, 20. Tiago QUINTAL, 21. Zac DE JESUS, 23. Rhyan GRANT (C), 25. Jaiden KUCHARSKI, 29. Joe LACEY, 41. Alex POPOVIC
(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 41. Alex POPOVIC (promoted), 29. Joe LACEY (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 11. Douglas COSTA (hamstring)
