United recorded two wins and two losses during Thwaite's three week absence - most recently, a clinical 3-0 demolition of Melbourne Heart which he believes is an ominous warning to the rest of the A-League that Gold Coast are over their brief form dip and very much back in business.

With Thwaite to be joined by Zenon Caravella for the Phoenix game, and potentially Glen Moss and Steve Pantelidis, he says United are starting get their key personnel back at the right time.

“I've had a good week of training now and I should be right for selection on Saturday. I feel a bit fresher now as well so the rest of my body had a chance to catch up and I'm feeling fighting fit,” Thwaite said.

“We had a couple of tough losses but I think we regrouped very well against the Heart. The boys at the back have done well with the rotation and we're getting the entire squad back to full fitness now which is the most important thing.”

Gold Coast have already played Wellington twice this season, with two good results - a fighting 3-3 draw in soaking conditions at Westpac Stadium, and a James Brown-inspired 3-1 win at home in October - and despite the Phoenix coming off a 2-1 win over Adelaide in Christchurch, Thwaite is expecting this history to work in their favour on Saturday night.

“We got one over them at home and we had a great draw over in Wellington earlier in the season so we've coped well with them, but they're coming off a very good come-from-behind win against Adelaide last week and they'll be full of confidence,” he said.

The Wellington match is the start of an exciting Christmas period with next Sunday's (19 December) match against the Central Coast Mariners at Skilled Park to be free entry for all supporters in an initiative by Clive Palmer to show thanks for Frank Lowy and the FFA's bid for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Thwaite says the news of Palmer's decision has excited the dressing room and given the team extra motivation to give fans a present of their own, in the form of a continued run of wins.

“It's what Christmas is about. You can call Clive Santa Claus at the moment because he's brought a lot to the club and I'm pretty sure my whole suburb is going to come to the Mariners game,” he laughed.

 “I think the fans just need to see the quality of football that is on offer - we have Wellington at home this weekend, followed by an away game in Newcastle on Wednesday, then the big, free game against the Mariners on Sunday the 19th. After that there’s the Boxing Day match in Brisbane - all of those should be excellent games and a real feast of football.

 “It's very, very positive for the boys and we can only thank Clive for what he's done for the club.”