Wellington Phoenix attacker David Ball says he'll keep risking serious injury to help the club win a first piece of A-League Men silverware, such is his belief in the team.
The Phoenix take on Western Sydney Wanderers at Auckland's Eden Park on Sunday in their second match of a two-game New Zealand swing.
Ball will take his place in the Phoenix XI despite tearing his collateral ligament on his big toe earlier this month, meaning he spends the week in a moonboot, doesn't train, and takes painkillers on match day to lace up.
"I've been getting their local anaesthetic into my big toe, which wears off about 60 minutes in. I'm straining to do (anything) after that," he tells AAP.
Ball has been advised he needs four weeks rest for the injury to heal.
"But it can actually get worse. It can fully tear which would mean three to four months (out) and surgery," he said.
"There is a lot of risk in there of actually making it a lot worse but I'm just one of these lads that it's all or nothing.
"I spoke with the manager and he felt like he needed me and the lads need me so I'm doing my best to be there with the team.
"We've put so much sacrifice into this season, as a group and myself individually.
"I still want to be really successful and if I can be a part of helping that, I'm willing to take the risk my side."
Wellington are in the finals mix, sitting fifth, but are missing a string of senior players as the finals near.
Gary Hooper, Clayton Lewis, Alex Rufer and Josh Laws won't play against the Wanderers, though Sam Sutton is on track to return after COVID-19.
Coach Ufuk Talay said Hooper and Laws were nearing returns, with Lewis a possibility to play before the end of the regular season.
While the Nix were poor in last week's homecoming 4-0 loss to Central Coast, Ball said a quick recovery was very possible.
"The vibe's good. It's been one of them seasons where we've won two and lost one ... it's not all doom and gloom," he said.
Ball, a former Manchester City junior, is into his third season in Wellington and is contracted for a fourth.
After so much disruption in his three seasons _ which has included shifting his family to New Zealand and Australia, before they moved back to the UK in January -- Ball is eager to settle at the club longer term.
"I haven't seen (my family) for five months out of the last six, so I just want to get back refreshed with them and hopefully the future long-term is is Wellington," he said.
"It's been crazy the last three years and I'd love to get a good run at life in Wellington with my family."
