The club's A-League future is in doubt after the AFC laid out a blueprint for Australian clubs staying in the Asian Champions League at the expense of Phoenix continuing in their current form.

The new rules insist either the Wellington club becomes a fully Austraian operation based in New Zealand but with local players are treated as foreigners, or else A-League clubs will no longer qualify for the ACL after 2011.

While club officials seek clarification from both the FFA and AFC, the players are trying to focus on the immediate task of winning points. However, they appreciate the importance of the issue.

Durante believes success on the field can help strengthen the club's case. But he also feels an ongoing Phoenix is linked to success at international level.

"It's crucial for New Zealand football and the New Zealand national team," Durante told the Dominion Post.

"If Phoenix aren't part of the set-up I think it would be demoralising for youngsters coming through the sport aspiring to be professional footballers to have that taken away from them.

"Wellington played a huge part of the success of the national team with the core players."

Durante believes Phoenix have done more than simply make up the numbers since joining the competition and feels the club should get the green light to remain part of the A-League.

"I believe we should be. We have contributed quite well over the last two or three years quite well," he added.

Durante and his colleagues are in A-League action again when they face Central Coast Mariners on New Year's Eve.