Costa Rican international Carlos Hernandez will miss Wellington Phoenix’ A-League game against Central Coast Mariners at North Sydney Oval tonight after returning to Wellington this morning with a recurrence of a muscle injury.

Costa Rican international Carlos Hernandez will miss Wellington Phoenix- A-League game against Central Coast Mariners at North Sydney Oval tonight after returning to Wellington this morning with a recurrence of a muscle injury.

Hernandez trained lightly with the team before travelling to Sydney on Wednesday but head coach Ernie Merrick decided not risk him against the Mariners with Sunday-s game against Sydney FC in mind.

“Carlos has been carrying the injury for a couple of weeks and we thought he was over it,” Merrick said.

“However after the flight he was not moving freely. I didn-t think he could get through two games in four days and I would like him ready to face Sydney.”

Jason Hicks made the trip to Sydney this morning to provide the necessary cover.