Phoenix will take part in the ASB Challenge Series, taking on eight teams from the ASB Premiership in midweek fixtures.

The Phoenix side will be coached by Jonathan Gould and comprise members of the current A-League squad plus members of the Football Development Foundation.

Up to 13 young Kiwi players from around New Zealand aged 16-19 will be drawn into the Football Development Foundation squad.

Phoenix have long been frustrated at the club's inability to give squad players competitive action while young players have no match action in which to develop further.

The first game in the series is at Hamilton's Fred Jones Park against Waikato FC on Monday 15 November and the final match against Canterbury United on Wednesday February 2.

Phoenix coach Jonathan Gould told asbpremiership.co.nz: "What we're trying to establish is a way of allowing players who have been on the periphery of the first team or are coming back from injury to transition themselves back into the first team.

"We also believe it's an excellent opportunity to develop players that have been identified for national age-group sides and create a step between those teams and professional football."