The pre-season recruit from Crystal Palace has been a big hit and now the club are sitting down with the striker in a bid to extend his stay.

It is understood that Ifill's initial contract is one-year with an option for a second year but club officials are hoping to agree a fresh deal that will offer greater security.

"There is no question that Paul has been an outstanding pick up for us," Phoenix CEO Tony Pignata told au.fourfourtwo.com today. "I think the A-League needs players of his calibre and he certainly provides that X-factor.

"We are sitting down with him and we would hope to sort out something with him."

A three-year deal is one possibility admitted the CEO but Ifill is not the only contract target.

Pignata said: "Andrew Durante, Manny Muscat and Vince Lia all agreed new deals recently and over the coming weeks there will be more discussions."

Pignata admits it has been a very happy week at the club following the 6-0 thrashing of Gold Coast United.

He added: "It was a fantastic result and everyone was delighted. But it's gone now and the focus is firmly on building on it and getting another positive result in Sydney at the weekend."