A three-month gap lies between the end of the A-League campaign and the start of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. All those hoping to be part of Pim Verbeek's squad will need to be playing football right up to the last possible moment.

That could see several A-League-based hopefuls loaned out to either Aussie clubs in the Asian Champions League (Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United) or clubs abroad.

Should Glory agree to loan out Sterjovski in January, they want to make sure that they can replace marquee quality with a fresh top addition.

Coach Dave Mitchell hopes the club can bring in a like-for-like replacement should Sterjovski exit ahead of the finals series.

"That's (the rule) got to be clear. If Mile goes, what players can we bring in?'' Mitchell told the media after yesterday's draw in Wellington. "We're already looking for players and seeing who's available.''

Mitchell is in positive mood after stopping a run of defeats and believes his team can make the finals series for the first time in the club's history.

We held firm at the back (against Wellington) and didn't make the silly mistakes that have cost us recently so from that point of view it was a step in the right direction. 

"The effort the boys put in and the way we went about the game was great and it showed to me that we'll make the six."

Glory's next A-League test comes against Sydney FC at home on November 22.