The 28-year-old striker has made the switch from Central Coast and is looking to put a mixed A-League 2009/10 season with the Mariners behind him.

"Last year was up and down for me. I had a few injuries. I was living in Sydney and travelling up to the Central Coast so the travelling might have played a part in my form," he said.

"I've had a good pre-season so far and I'm just going to work hard and train really hard and do what I'm good at and hopefully things will fall into place.

"The club needed a bigger target man and that's definitely my role. I have expectations this year. I really want to do well and score lots of goals."

Macallister only met Herbert and the rest of the Phoenix's All Whites contingent of Mark Paston, Tony Lochhead, Ben Sigmund, Tim Brown and Leo Bertos ahead of last Sunday's Phoenix fans open day but he has had six weeks working with English front men Chris Greenacre and Paul Ifill and he feels things are starting to gel.

"Me and Chris have been training together quite well and putting together some good combinations in training in the games we've played. We have an understanding now," he said.

"Paul does his own thing and that's why he is a special player. He can just float around - out wide, in behind us - and give him more of a free role which I think is going to be crucial to the team's success this year.

"Things have been going well with Chris and Paul up front. Now that we've got the rest of the All Whites back I'll try and get some combinations going with them as well."

Macallister looks set to start against Roar with Herbert keen to rule his eye over his latest recruit.

"It will be my first real competitive game for the club. I've got high expectations this year," Macallister said.

"Wellington did really well last year as a team and missed the grand final by one game and I can't see any reason why they can't do just as well this year. It all starts this weekend when we get our first real good hit-out."

The coach has left the former Socceroo in no doubt as to what he expects.

"He's lively and I think he's hungry which I think is important," said Herbert. "We signed him to score goals so he gets a chance on Saturday to lead the line."