City join list of suitors for Krishna

Melbourne City is the latest club to join the pursuit for out of contract Wellington Phoenix star Roy Krishna.

The Fijian international has attracted interest from across the A-league on the back of his career-best 15-goal haul.

His manager Rex Dawkins said they are still weighing up his options, with a decision on his future expected to be made before the season ends.

Already the Phoenix’s highest paid player, a deserved pay rise awaits Krishna, 31, given his stellar form and there is a suggestion a marquee deal may be required to retain the joint Golden Boot leader at a key junction of his career.

‘‘No decision has been made,’’ Dawkins said. ‘‘But this is a huge decision for Roy because this probably the biggest decision he’s made in his life because being the age he is so he’s got to make the right decision.’’

Although there still is hope the Phoenix can retain their main attacking outlet, who is even more valuable given he no longer counts as an import due to his recently acquired New Zealand citizenship, they have a battle on their hands to retain his goal-scoring services beyond his current 12-month deal.

Stuff understands City, owned by the cashed up City Football Group that also owns Premier League giants Manchester City, is the latest club to make a play for Krishna, formally notifying Wellington of their interest before approaching the player and his management directly earlier this month.

Although Newcastle Jets, Central Coast Mariners and even Sydney FC are also believed to be among a long-list of potential suitors, Dawkins would not reveal which clubs they are in negotiations with but he did confirm there has been plenty of interest from a ‘‘number of clubs’’ across the league.

‘‘No decisions have been made and nothing is favoured,’’ he said.

‘‘There’s been a lot of interest and everyone is aware of that, even the Phoenix are aware because people have contacted the Phoenix to be able to talk to Roy.’’

Meanwhile, the Phoenix will be looking to bounce back from their crushing 3-1 defeat to Adelaide United when they face the out of sorts Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium tonight.

With only goal differential keeping the Phoenix above fifth-place United, the match against the Roar, easily the weakest of their final three opponents, looms as a must-win game for Rudan’s side as they continue their push for a home playoff.