Already being criticised for a lack of attacking flair, the Wellington Phoenix will be without playmaker Paul Ifill for at least the next month of the A-League football competition.
Ifill will have surgery on his right ankle after which he injured in a pre-seaon game and could be out for up to six weeks.
Head coach Ricki Herbert says the injury's been affecting Ifill's form and while it's disappointing to lose such an influential player over a busy period it's better for him to have the operation now rather than wait until the end of the season.
