Heart will be chasing their second successive home victory and face a Wellington side, who have traditionally struggled away from home. Van 't Schip admitted that he was close to bringing back several big names for the clash, including Skoko, who has missed several weeks with a hamstring injury.

"It is important now we get a lot of players back," he said.

"Josip Skoko is looking good and hopefully Alex Terra and Rutger Worm are going to be available for the game, so we have got more choice."

Skoko impressed in a brief cameo against Everton in a pre-season friendly before he started in the Heart's inaugural Hyundai A-League match against the Central Coast Mariners.

He was injured in the round two clash against the Newcastle Jets and the Hyundai A-League's newest team have missed his presence in the middle of the park.

If fit, the addition of Terra and Worm will provide van 't Schip's side with more attacking power.

Striker John Aloisi is also gaining fitness after two substitute appearances and the Dutchman is encouraged by what he is seeing in training.

"John Aloisi is coming back slowly too," van 't Schip said.

"He has twice come onto the pitch as a substitute and every week he is looking stronger and sharper. So I think he is going to complete the squad as well as an experienced player."

The former Ajax and Genoa winger knows that defeating Phoenix won't be easy and believes the additions of Danny Vukovic and Nick Ward have made them an even better side.

"It was already a very solid team, but I think they have become stronger. They have players with World Cup experience also, so it's going to be a big challenge on Sunday."

As they aim for their second win of the season, van 't Schip is taking heart from recent performances at AAMI Park.

"At home, we played a very good game against Perth, especially the first half."

"Against the Central Coast in the first game we were a little bit unlucky, but we played more or less the way we would like to."

"We managed to win our last game at AAMI Park. That was very important for the confidence."