WELLINGTON Phoenix boss Ricki Herbert is confident Shane Smeltz and Fred can overcome injury niggles in time to face Adelaide United.
Hot-shot Smeltz has a calf strain with Fred nursing a strain in his groin.
Both will be closely monitored but the coach is more than hopeful that the duo can line up against the Reds as the visitors look to make it four wins on the trot.
Herbert told the Dominion Post: "Touch wood, I think they'll be okay.
"I think Smeltz will be okay and Fred seemed better, so they both should be okay to start.
"It's just if something happened at training then it's quite difficult to get somebody in at late notice."
Although Adelaide currently sit second in the table and Phoenix fifth, a win for the New Zealanders would see them join the Reds level on points.
Both will be closely monitored but the coach is more than hopeful that the duo can line up against the Reds as the visitors look to make it four wins on the trot.
Herbert told the Dominion Post: "Touch wood, I think they'll be okay.
"I think Smeltz will be okay and Fred seemed better, so they both should be okay to start.
"It's just if something happened at training then it's quite difficult to get somebody in at late notice."
Although Adelaide currently sit second in the table and Phoenix fifth, a win for the New Zealanders would see them join the Reds level on points.
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