Phoenix close to completing roster

Photosport

The next few days are crucial for the Wellington Phoenix as they look to complete this season's A-League squad

Young striker Mirjan Pavlovich will find out today if he has done enough to secure a contract with the Wellington Phoenix.

Pavlovich has been trialling with the A-League club and impressed against a Wairarapa selection in Masterton, scoring a hat-trick in the 5-1 victory.

Coach Ricki Herbert says he likes what he sees from Pavlovich and will be talking to him today about signing a contract, taking one of the three mandatory under-21 spots on the club's roster. Herbert says he scores goals and is hungry to keep scoring goals.

The Phoenix are also on the verge of signing former Socceroos defender Jade North.

The club has been negotiating for several weeks although North is currently on contract in Norway, but has also been trialling in China. Herbert says North is almost ?over the line? and he is pretty hopeful the Phoenix are going to sign him.

Herbert has also confirmed the signing of Argentinean Roberto Canerjo or ?Toto? as he is known and is hopeful a club reserve team will attract some of New Zealand?s best young footballing talent to the capital.

New Zealand Football has indicated it will give a Phoenix reserve team regular, meaningful games, possibly through inclusion in the NZFC.

Herbert says that will be an attractive proposition for young players looking to forge a professional career and if he was a teenager he would be desperate to be a part of the Phoenix.