Phoenix captain Andrew Durante is expecting a somewhat mixed reception when he takes the field against his old club and current A league football champions Newcastle in Newcastle this evening.
The skipper returns to the Phoenix line up after missing last week's only win of the season so far, the 2-1 victory over previously unbeaten Sydney.
Durante feels it's good a time to take on his old club as they have several key players out through injury and representative duty.
The match kicks off at 5pm this evening.