At a glance

At Sky Stadium, Wellington: Western United 4 (Jess McDonald 16’, Sydney Cummings 70’ Hannah Keane 77’, 82’) Wellington Phoenix 1 (Marisa van der Meer 23’). HT: 1-1

She was a bright spot, combining well with Michaela Foster and Paige Satchell down the left wing in a lively debut.

But the Phoenix were still missing captain and first-choice goalkeeper Lily Alfeld, Football Ferns forward Emma Rolston and midfielders Grace Wisnewski and Isabel Gomez.

Their returns can’t come quick enough with another difficult assignment coming up on Sunday, playing two-time defending champions Victory away in Melbourne.

Rolston was given time off after her ongoing back troubles flared up while on Football Ferns duty, delaying her debut, but Lawrence was hopeful to have her recruit available to face Victory.

Gomez and Wisnewski are also nearing a return. Gomez resumed training last week after recovering from a foot injury and was due to play 30 minutes for an academy team yesterday.

‘‘Once we get some of these players back the competition for spots gets really high,’’ said Lawrence.

She will know more about the status of van der Meer and Knott in the coming days.