Phoenix skipper Alex Rufer Photo: Photosport
Melbourne Victory v Phoenix
Kick-off: 9:35pm Friday, 14 February
AAMI Park, Melbourne
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Wellington Phoenix captain Alex Rufer was sidelined indefinitely last month after a bout of glandular fever, but the midfielder is making his way back on to the pitch.
Rufer started the first nine games of the A-League season before being forced to miss the next six .
Coach Giancarlo Italiano said after the first match he sat out, Rufer had "probably played three or four games sick".
"We didn't know at the time and he probably wasn't at his best, but now we know why. He's very important to the way we play but also in the changing room and keeping spirits high in the group."
Rufer needed to meet some medical milestones - similar to what is required for a player returning from concussion - before he could be reintegrated into training.
The Phoenix are 10th in the 13 team league, missing Rufer's influence and experience as they battled to stay in touch with the top six.
As Rufer's health improved he returned to training over the past two weeks with the team in Upper Hutt, and two young defenders were pleased to have him back.
"Having [Rufer] back is a real key to our team it's great having him back and pushing us to be better every single week," Corban Piper said.
"[He brings] that bit of fight in the midfield, he's always putting a challenge in, always helping everyone giving us a real boost and helping the young boys giving us the confidence we need and the experience on the field."
Matt Sheridan echoed Piper's thoughts on their captain, who has played more than 150 A-League games and is the club's longest-serving player.
"He's a quality player on the ball provides a lot defensively as well and a good leader, so good to have him back."
Italiano said Rufter would travel this week with the team and he expected to play some part in the game against against Melbourne Victory on Friday.
"He's way ahead of where he should be which is good and he's had two good weeks of training so we'll look to involve him."
AAMI Park was a venue the Phoenix struggled at for years, but they were confident against a team they beat 1-0 the first time they played them this season in November.
Victory were sitting in sixth, coming off a 3-0 loss to the lowly Newcastle Jets.
"We can get a result against anyone we've been pretty close to getting a result with almost every team in the top six" Piper said.
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