The Smeltz hole will be difficult to fill given the All-White scored 12 times last season to become the league's Golden Boot.

But a two-man strike force from the UK is being tipped as the solution with one forward being a former Manchester City player.

It's understood that the two strikers are around the age of 29 and 30 currently playing in England's League One.

They will be seen in person by former Wolves player and Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert as his global search for strike weapons begins in the coming weeks.

At least one Aussie player in the UK has given a glowing report on these strikers with one of these potential signings having played in the English Premier League.

The club has done its research on the two players in conjunction with Australian based recruitment advisor Tony Rallis and believe once they meet the players in person, they will know if they have the right men for the job.

Herbert will also visit Brazil with club owner Terry Serepisos to run the rule over some Brazilian talent being arranged by Rio-based player manager Steve Panopoulos.

With Reds star Diego Walsh also confirmed for next season and the eye-catching form of wide men Leo Bertos, Troy Hearfield and Costa Barbarouses in the second half of this season, Phoenix are on the brink of building their strongest squad yet.

But the issue of being left out of the A-League's youth competition continues to be a sore point with the club.

The youth league is a de facto second tier A-League and the New Zealand club continues to argue it should have a team in the league for the benefits it brings in uncovering new talent, and giving injured players a chance to get match fitness ahead of a first team recall.

"It's not fair on our club. We can't give players game time when they're not in the squad for the weekend game - unlike all other seven A-League clubs," Phoenix CEO Tony Pignata told au.fourfourtwo.com.