Club chief executive Tony Pignata told the Dominion Post: "I think we've shown over the past season and a bit that we can maintain the licence and we should be able to do it ourselves."

Phoenix want the licence be given directly to owner Terry Serepisos' company Century City Football, not New Zealand Football, from whom the company currently sub-leases the licence.

Meanwhile, efforts will continue to try and secure the services of striker Shane Smeltz.

The hot-shot forward's current deal expires at the end of this season and Phoenix are confident they can persuade him to stay.

Pignata said: "He was going away with the All Whites and we wanted to wait for the birth of his child, but he arrives back today and we'll see where he's at over the next few weeks. By the end of the month we'll want to know."

"He knows where we stand. From our point of view, he's playing the best football of his career, both for the Phoenix and All Whites, so he's an integral part of the squad.

"We're pretty confident Shane will agree to extend his contract for at least another year."