COULD Graham Arnold be about to scuttle Brisbane Roar's bid to keep star striker Besart Berisha?

The new Vegalta Sendai coach has recommended to the Japanese club's sporting director to have a shot at snaring the Albanian international, whose Roar contract expires at the end of the season.

The A-League's best striker remains undecided about his future and is in no hurry to commit himself to Brisbane, with Sydney FC and Newcastle already interested in his services.

With Vegalta having gone cold on the idea of signing an Australian player, their attention has switched elsewhere, with 28-year-old Berisha also on their radar.

News_Image_File: Former Central Coast Mariners coach Graham Arnold could poach Besart Berisha.

Arnold stressed that neither the Roar or Berisha's agent John Grimaud had been approached, but hinted that an offer could come when the transfer window opens next month.

Financially, it would likely be a sum that the Roar could not match, with Brisbane's foreign marquee spot belonging to German star Thomas Broich.

"People from the club have seen Besart in the (Asian) Champions League and know what he's about," Arnold told The Courier-Mail on Tuesday.

"He's a fighter and he's a winner."

Berisha has scored 40 goals in just 61 A-League appearances and has also found the back of the net twice in seven ACL matches.

"He's a proven goalscorer, and they're hard to come by," Arnold said.

Berisha will again lead the Roar's attack when high-flying Brisbane visit Westpac Stadium on Saturday to take on the struggling Wellington Phoenix.

News_Rich_Media: Watch the entire match from Coopers Stadium as Adelaide host Brisbane.

With the Phoenix being one of just two A-League sides yet to record a win this season, Roar coach Mike Mulvey is expecting the "embarrassed" hosts to give Brisbane a tough afternoon.

"When I assessed the teams at the beginning of the season I had Wellington pegged as a top-six team, simply because of their firepower," Mulvey said.

There's plenty to enjoy in episode nine of the Fox Football Podcast. Adam Peacock and Simon Hill are joined in the studio by a special guest, Australian defender Eddy Bosnar, back at home after a 13 year career abroad. We also chat to Socceroos keeper Mat Ryan on the phone from Belgium about Australia's World Cup draw and life abroad and Daniel Garb joins us from London to talk about football in Europe, headlined by Manchester United's malaise.

Subscribe now at the iTunes store or listen to it on the iPP Podcast Player app.

"They'd be quite embarrassed about where they are at the moment."

The Phoenix squad includes proven match-winners Jeremy Brockie, Carlos Hernandez and Paul Ifill, although Hernandez and Ifill are both under injury clouds.

Brisbane goalkeeper Michael Theo has overcome a shoulder injury and will travel to Wellington, but Mulvey is yet to decide whether the four-time championship winner will start ahead of Matt Acton.

News_Image_File: Mike Mulvey of Brisbane Roar.

The 21-year-old Townsville-born gloveman starred in the Roar's 2-1 away win over Adelaide United last Friday night.

But provided Theo gets through the week unscathed, the former Melbourne Victory custodian is likely to get the nod.

"I'm not going to commit on that just yet because we've got a couple of training sessions left in New Zealand,'' Mulvey said when asked if Theo would be rushed straight back into the starting line-up after missing the past two matches.

"But he's got through this morning's session quite well. He looks very bubbly.

"If it holds up, there's a good chance he will start the game."

While Theo is back, key defender Jade North (groin) and veteran fullback Shane Stefanutto (hamstring) are both out for at least another week.

Socceroos pair Ivan Franjic and Matt McKay did not train yesterday but according to Mulvey, are in no doubt for the weekend.

"(Franjic) had an injection (on Monday). He's had a long-standing (abdominal) issue. It's nothing that stops him playing but it's a little bit niggly," Mulvey said.

"It's not a strain, but he feels a little bit of discomfort after a game. The doctor suggested we do this which will take away the inflammation around the area.

"Matty McKay's … just resting today. He'll be perfectly fine."