Wellington Phoenix snatched an invaluable point with Saturday's 1-1 draw against Sydney FC, but coach Ernie Merrick has been left counting the cost.
Most disappointing is the loss of defender Tom Doyle, who will miss next week's away clash to Adelaide after earning his fifth yellow card at Westpac Stadium.
Merrick was not happy with his left back, who missed last week's 1-2 loss to Brisbane Roar in Cairns with food poisoning.
"It's really disappointing to lose Tom Doyle, because just about every game he plays he gets a yellow card and it's usually needless.
"Tom Doyle's put us under pressure now.
"I'm labouring the fact but it's really disappointing."
Merrick desperately needs disciplined defenders, as both Ben Sigmund and Justin Gulley are still working their way back to fitness after niggly hamstring injuries.
Doyle's absence next week comes at a particularly bad time, with right back Louis Fenton joining the injury roster after tearing ankle ligaments against Sydney FC.
Merrick had been looking at promoting promising youngster Dylan Fox to bolster the defence, but the 21-year-old centre back is also struggling with ankle problems.
The Phoenix also have a swathe of players on four yellow cards, including key midfielders Roly Bonevacia, Albert Reira and Alex Rodriguez.
On the plus side, Merrick was very pleased with the performance of Dutch import Jeffrey Sarpong, who has struggled for consistency but put in an excellent shift against Sydney FC.
"He started to show what he's capable of and what he's been doing at training," Merrick said.
"He played some great through balls, he kept possession well and he worked hard on defence. It was good to see Jeffrey standing up, and hopefully he'll continue on in that starting position."
Saturday's draw leaves Wellington sixth on the A-League ladder with four wins and three draws, but only three points shy of third-placed Brisbane.
They now face more travel, with matches against Adelaide United and Central Coast Mariners before returning to Wellington for a January 10 match against Brisbane Roar.
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