It has been reported that Gold Coast United are poised to clinch the player's services but Phoenix CEO Tony Pignata has told au.fourfourtwo.com that the club remains confident it can persuade Smeltz to stay.

Smeltz was on target again for Phoenix as they notched a vital victory over Sydney FC yesterday and the club hope to make progress on the contract front this week.

Pignata said: "Shane is a vital mark of the Wellington Phoenix make-up and we want him to stay.

"We are looking to chat with Shane and his agent this week and we are hoping we can convince him to stay.

"If he wants a year, two years or three years then we look to entertain what he wants.

"Shane is a wanted man here, he knows that and the ball is in his court."

A-League clubs must put in writing to a player's existing club their intention to approach him for contract discussions. Pignata said: "I've had nothing in writing from Gold Coast.

Teams can open negotiations with players on October 1.

"If Shane Smeltz is somewhere else next year, then it won't be for a lack of trying on our part," said Pignata.

Aside from the Smeltz issue, Pignata said the 2-1 win over Sydney FC had brought a big smile to the faces of everyone at the club.

He joked: "It was certainly easier to bounce out of bed this morning and head into work.

"It's not been the easiest few weeks but I think that result made a real statement. Hopefully it was the catalyst to really kick-start our season.

"Now we can look to try and win two in a row, something we've not done before, and move onwards and upwards."