The Wellington Phoenix striker returns from international duty this weekend to take on Lawrie McKinna’s table-toppers and will be looking to enhance his reputation as one of this season’s top marksmen.

His lack of action in round eight allowed Sydney FC’s Alex Brosque to pull level with him and Bruce Djite at the top of the Hyundai A-League’s scoring charts and if the Mariners have their way, he won’t be adding to his four goals at least for another 90 minutes.

The Mariners defence would do well not to doze off in the latter stages of the game as that’s when Smeltz is at his most dangerous.

Three of his four goals have come inside the final six minutes of a game.

In round one he netted an 84th minute equaliser, he struck with an 87th minute leveller against Adelaide United and was on target in stoppage time against Queensland Roar.

Mariners midfielder John Hutchinson has been impressed with Smeltz so far this season and knows his team must get to grips with him if they are to hang on to their place as league leaders.

He said: “Shane Smeltz is a really dangerous striker.

"He’s been scoring goals for the Phoenix and you really have to watch him. He’s the type of player that can go quiet for 20 minutes or so, you think he’s out of the game and then he pops up with a goal.”

It promises to be a tough test for Smeltz though.

No striker has been caught offside more times than him this season while the most successful exponents of the offside trap in the Hyundai A-League this year are the Central Coast Mariners. Something has to give.

Not that the Mariners are solely focused on Smeltz.

Hutchinson said: “It will be a real fight over there. They’ve some really good players and in my opinion, have the best two Brazilians in the league. I think Felipe has been their best player.”

Although the two sides have yet to meet on New Zealand soil, the Mariners can go to Wellington with confidence.

In three away meetings with the old New Zealand Knights the Mariners notched victories on every occasion.