New Zealand are due to face Iraq and Jordan respectively on September 5 and 8 while Phoenix are scheduled to face Aurelio Vidmar's Reds on September 4.

Phoenix fear they could be without nine players (up to eight Kiwi's and Maltese international Manny Muscat) for the clash - a bizarre situation with Ricki Hebert both the club and All Whites coach of course.

Wellington CEO Tony Pignata told au.fourfourtwo.com today: "The FFA have been receptive and asked to us to outline our concerns, which we've done.

"If you're losing a couple of players then maybe you deal with that but not eight or nine. We've said we'll play the game in midweek if we have to."

In other Phoenix news, the club admit they have been impressed with teenage triallist Marci Rojas and will sit down to discuss the future with him.

The club is also close to nailing down a three-game tour of China next month, a trip which would see Wellington take on Chinese Super League teams in the build up to the new A-League season.

Pignata said: "I'm hoping we can confirm that some time next week."