WELLINGTON PHOENIX’S four Brazilian signings will take part in the club’s first-up 2007 Pre-Season Cup clash against the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford on Saturday.

Defender Cleberson and midfielders/strikers Daniel, George and Felipe Campos have all been cleared to play at Bluetongue Stadium as the Phoenix have their first real hit-out in preparation for the start of the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 season.

While Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert has had to call in some last-minute reinforcements to cover for several injured and unavailable squad members, he was pleased to have his four South American players on deck.

“Given that Cleberson, George and Felipe have only just joined the team, this weekend’s game will give us an opportunity to get them involved in the structure and also provide them with an idea of what it’s going to be like playing in this competition.”

New Zealand under-20 midfielder Greg Draper and goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley, both of whom starred for the age-group team at the recent World Cup tournament in Canada, have been brought into the 15-man squad for the match against the Mariners.

Herbert was confident the youngsters would be up to the challenge, adding he was pleased to have the opportunity and time to work with the two rising talents.

“Greg and Jacob are coming off the back of World Cup experience and that’s something I’m sure will be a very special part of their careers.

“Now they have the opportunity to experience professional football and both have the passion and desire to seize that opportunity.”

With captain Ross Aloisi ruled out due to a one-game ban carried over from last season and vice-captain Tim Brown out with injury, the Phoenix will be led on Saturday by veteran striker Vaughan Coveny.

The loss of six players due to injury and unavailability was unfortunate but certainly not a major concern, Herbert said.

“This sort of thing happens and I’m sure other A-League clubs are experiencing similar problems.

“But the positive is that we’re working through these problems now, rather than at the start of the competition season.

“We’ve targeted the 2007 Pre-Season Cup as a way of looking at all the players and to provide us with a guide as to how the first XI will look come August 26, when we play Melbourne Victory in our first competition match.”

Central Coast won the inaugural Pre-Season Cup in 2005 and were losing finalists in 2006. The Mariners are again among the favourites to win this year’s warm-up competition.

“They’ve clearly worked hard and have played a lot of fixtures ahead of this weekend, so it’s fantastic for us to be taking them on first up,” Herbert said.

“Like any professional football team, we want to get out and play, and we’re excited the first game is almost here.”

Saturday’s match kicks off at 6pm AEST (8pm NZT).

Wellington Phoenix FC squad: Vaughan Coveny (captain), Royce Brownlie, Jeremy Christie, Felipe Campos, Cleberson, Daniel, Greg Draper, Michael Ferrante, George, Tony Lochhead, Steven O’Dor, Steven Old, Shane Smeltz, Glen Moss (gk), Jacob Spoonley (gk).

Unavailable: Ross Aloisi, Tim Brown, Costa Barbarouses, Karl Dodd, Vince Lia, Richard Johnson.