Ifill, who has 30 goals in 80 appearances for Wellington, expects to get the stitches out on Monday in a bid to regain fitness immediately.

"The surgeon originally said three to six weeks so hopefully I will be able to start getting back to fitness immediately," Ifill said.

"There was a build-up of scar tissue from a pre-season injury that was affecting my mobility and he has cleared it all out.

"He is confident he has got all the scar tissue out and that I won't have any more problems with it."

Ifill has played nine times for the Phoenix this season, scoring two goals, but has not featured since a 3-1 defeat to Adelaide United on December 15.