Sydney FC will welcome back its star studded defensive line-up for tonight's A-League clash with the Wellington Phoenix at the Sydney Football Stadium. After conceding three second-half goals when 3-0 up against Central Coast last week, the Sky Blues will be keen to produce a clean sheet against the team who have scored least goals in the league.

Sydney welcomes back first choice goalkeeper Clint Bolton plus defenders Iain Fyfe and Tony Popovic and coach John Kosmina made comment of the fact his side was without key players last week.

"No disrespect to the players that played last week (but) had 'Popo' been on the field we wouldn't have got ourselves into that situation in terms of his leadership," Kosmina told the league's official website.

The Phoenix will be without playmaker Leilei Gao who will miss with a calf injury and skipper Andrew Durante who has a hamstring strain.

It is a major blow for both club and player as Durante was poised to make his 50th A-League appearance.

"Yeah, it would've been perfect, really," he said.

"My family are coming to the game and it would have been nice to have achieved the 50-game milestone in front of them. But it's not to be. The good thing, I guess, is that hopefully I'll get to play my 50th game at home in Wellington against Newcastle [on November 23]."