Paul Ifill is in talks with the Phoenix about extending his stay in Wellington beyond this season, as rival A-League clubs begin courting the off-contract striker.

The England-born Barbados international was a revelation in his first season in Wellington, scoring 13 goals to inspire the Phoenix to the 2009-10 preliminary final.

But a nasty leg injury restricted Ifill's output to seven goals last season and the 32-year-old has made just two appearances because of groin problems this year. When fit, Ifill is one of the most dangerous attacking players in the league and it appears the Phoenix are willing to roll the dice and offer their star import an extension.

"I've said it a million times, I love this club, I still see my future here," Ifill said. "We've started talking, the talk has been pretty positive, it's just a case of maybe me coming down and them coming up [on wage demands].

"I don't think it will be too hard in the long run, I don't want to go anywhere else in the A-League especially. If I have to I will – if they didn't want me I'd go elsewhere – but if we can keep the core group here together then I think in the next year or so we can go on and do really well."

Ifill said his agent was taking calls from other A-League clubs but "if I get what I want here, then I'm not going elsewhere".

Ifill will travel to Auckland as the ninth-placed Phoenix prepare for Saturday's game against seventh-ranked Adelaide United at Eden Park.

He trained fully at Newtown Park yesterday but wanted to test his groin further today and tomorrow before putting his hand up for selection.

The cautious approach is understandable. Ifill strained his groin and limped out of the season opener against Gold Coast United but was given the green light from medical staff to play a week later against the Newcastle Jets.

But that decision backfired as Ifill lasted just 15 minutes before tearing a tendon in his adductor. He has missed the club's last four games: three losses and a draw.

"I've done all the rehab, I've trained well the last few days and I'm happy where I am. Whether that means I'm fit enough to play or not, I don't know.

"Hopefully I go up to Auckland and in the next couple of days I'll be in a position to put my hand up and say yeah, I'm fit for selection if you want me."

Ifill is just one of coach Ricki Herbert's selection dilemmas as midfielders Dani Sanchez (hip flexor) and Daniel (hamstring) battle to prove their fitness.

As of yesterday morning 6500 tickets had been sold in Auckland. The Phoenix need a crowd of about 10,000 to break even. New Zealand Football chief executive Grant McKavanagh said the game was a chance for Auckland fans to show they deserve All Whites games.