18 Feb 2011

Herbert springs surprise in Phoenix lineup

12:02 pm on 18 February 2011

Striker Paul Ifill and midfielder Vince Lia have both been named on the reserves bench for the Wellington Phoenix for tonight's A-League football elimination final against Adelaide, at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Ifill's been out with a leg injury for the past two months while Vince Lia's also returning from injury.

Coach Ricki Herbert says Ifill was never a contender for a place in the starting lineup but hopes to get 20 to 30 minutes from him off the bench.

Herbert's disappointed Lia hasn't recovered enough to make the starting lineup as his experience would have been a welcome addition to the midfield.

In a surprise move Troy Hearfield, who has been at right back in recent weeks, has been moved into the midfield with Jade North moving from centre back to right full back.

Captain Andrew Durante, returning from a two-match suspension, will partner Ben Sigmund in the centre of defence.