Herbert set to unveil mystery Phoenix signing

A low-key Phoenix training became a game of "guess who" as coach Ricki Herbert claimed the imminent signing of an attacking midfielder from a European first division league.
Herbert, whose team play New Zealand under-20 in a preseason match in Auckland tomorrow, hinted at some big news for Phoenix fans next week.
"It would be quite an exciting signing for the club," he said yesterday.
"I like the look of this one; a good pedigree, playing in a good competition. I know the agent - [he's] brought other players to the A-League and they've been very good players."
Herbert does a good poker face but he offered the following morsels in the game of 20 questions.
Q: Is he British? A: No, more continental Europe.
Q: Does he speak English? A: He actually does, I believe, which would be a help.
Q: How old? A: 28.
Q. You're not going to tell us his name, are you? A: He is still contracted but there is an out clause and we're working on that out clause, and that looks very favourable for us. I wouldn't want to jeopardise it because I'm pretty keen to get him.
Herbert confirmed the mystery midfielder "has been playing in a first division league" and had a handy goals-to-games ratio.

"He's coming out of a pretty strong competition. The team he plays for is irrelevant, but the competition is important. It's a decent league."
Discussions had progressed quickly and Herbert hoped a signature could be secured midway through next week. "I think the club deserves something like that."
Another Europe-based striker would also be arriving on a trial basis, he said. As it stands, the Phoenix have 14 players on their books, and Herbert hopes to have the full complement of 20 by the end of August.
One of those could be young Australian defender Nick Tsattalios who will play left back against the under-20s, then Waitakere, on Wednesday.
"Nick's got good A-League experience and he was a real talent at Sydney FC when he was 16. He's a good chance at this stage. He's done everything really well."
Other triallists, young Victorian defender Bryan Bran and Spaniard Danny Sanchez, who is battling a quad strain, will be closely watched in Auckland.
Former Juventus goalkeeper Jess Vanstrattan was still in the mix, Herbert said, along with two other Europe-based keepers.
The Phoenix opened their pre-season campaign with a 6-1 win over Western Suburbs on Wednesday. Striker Paul Ifill had returned in good shape while Tony Lochhead (groin injury) will travel to Auckland but probably won't play.
New strength and conditioning coach Lee Taylor put the players through a torrid session yesterday in preparation.
"The [pre-season] results are irrelevant but I'm pleased. I think we're on track," said Herbert, whose team opens its campaign against Gold Coast on October 9.