Wellington Phoenix fullback Troy Danaskos is in line to start against Adelaide United on Boxing Day after injury and suspension ruled out Louis Fenton and Tom Doyle.

If Adelaide United are in the business of spying, then their mole on Newtown Park's grassy knoll would've been on the blower back to South Australia quick-smart after Wellington Phoenix training.

That's because Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick could be seen working on some surprising tactics in a bid to counteract what is expected to be an Adelaide bombardment down Wellington's exposed flanks on Boxing Day in Adelaide.

"They're very good down the flanks, they've got very good wingers and fullbacks that overlap, so obviously we've taken that into consideration in the set-up that you've just seen, but please don't reveal what we're doing or else I'll have to kill you," Merrick said with a laugh.

While the quip was light-hearted, Merrick does have some serious defensive worries this week after fullbacks Louis Fenton and Tom Doyle joined hamstrung pair Ben Sigmund and Justin Gulley on the sidelines.

Fenton is out three to four weeks with a torn ankle ligament, while Doyle is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the Phoenix's 1-1 draw with Sydney FC in Wellington last Saturday.

Left-back Troy Danaskos is likely to get a start, while defenders Dylan Fox and Tam Dimairo come into the squad, which Merrick said should see them covered.

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The depth of the squad will be tested again if either Roly Bonevacia, Albert Riera or Alex Rodriguez pick up a yellow against Adelaide, which would be their fifth of the season, ruling them out of the New Year's Eve clash against the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford.

"There's no doubt that in this middle part of the season you're hurt by suspensions and injuries but that's why we have a squad of 22 players and fortunately we've got a couple of youth players that have been pretty impressive in the ASB League, so we think we've got it covered," Merrick said.

"That's how you get strong, you give players a run and discover how good they are and that builds your depth."

The mercury in Adelaide is expected to near 40 degrees Celsius in the lead-up to Christmas Day, but should mercilessly relent to a more comfortable 25C for the afternoon kickoff on Saturday.

The Phoenix have lost 10 of their 14 games in South Australia, but won on their last visit on New Year's Eve last year and have won three on the trot against a team they have historically struggled against.

Adelaide started the season poorly, including a 4-2 loss in Wellington, but have won two of their last three and Phoenix skipper Andrew Durante said his side would need to take the game to Adelaide if they wanted to win.

"They've done well of late, they've got a bit of form and are always difficult at home. We seem to always have a tough time over in Adelaide, but we're playing some good football, last weekend aside which wasn't great, but we've been playing good football away from home recently.

"[We've got to] get in their faces playing attacking football – they're a team that can pin you back because they like to play attacking football, so if we can attack them and go at them then we'll give ourselves a good chance."