Melbourne Victory hope former Sweden international forward Ola Toivonen can make his debut in Sunday's meeting with Central Coast.
Toivonen picked up a calf injury after arriving in Melbourne in August to begin a two-year contract.
He's missed the first three games of the A-League season, but fellow striker Kosta Barbarouses says he's in with a chance of facing the Mariners at AAMI Park.
If it was up to him I'm sure he would be playing on Sunday.
Kosta Barbarouses
That would solve a big problem for coach Kevin Muscat, as he will be without Kenny Athiu who has a hamstring problem.
Athiu had started the opening two rounds in Toivonen's absence but limped out of the second game against Perth Glory.
Against Newcastle Jets last weekend, when Victory picked up their first win of the campaign, Jai Ingham partnered Barbarouses.
Barbarouses, who sits next to Toivonen in the club's locker room, says the feedback he's had indicates the 32-year-old will be available this weekend.
"He tells me he's feeling good ... going by what he's telling me, he should be in the mix," he said.
"He's training; he did part of the session with us today (then) as a precaution he came out and did his own stuff towards the end. If it was up to him I'm sure he would be playing on Sunday."
Toivonen, who made 64 appearances for Sweden and scored for them against Germany at this year's World Cup, announced his retirement from international football just before joining Victory.
Muscat has asked Barbarouses to move inside from the wing this season as part of a new formation, and says he likes being in the new role where he's been able to get into good goalscoring positions.
Melbourne Victory are 5/1 to win the Grand Final.
Victory are 2/5 to win their next game against Central Coast, who are 7/1 with the draw 7/2.
View all Soccer betting
Melbourne Victory hope former Sweden international forward Ola Toivonen can make his debut in Sunday's meeting with Central Coast.
Toivonen picked up a calf injury after arriving in Melbourne in August to begin a two-year contract.
He's missed the first three games of the A-League season, but fellow striker Kosta Barbarouses says he's in with a chance of facing the Mariners at AAMI Park.
If it was up to him I'm sure he would be playing on Sunday.
Kosta Barbarouses
That would solve a big problem for coach Kevin Muscat, as he will be without Kenny Athiu who has a hamstring problem.
Athiu had started the opening two rounds in Toivonen's absence but limped out of the second game against Perth Glory.
Against Newcastle Jets last weekend, when Victory picked up their first win of the campaign, Jai Ingham partnered Barbarouses.
Barbarouses, who sits next to Toivonen in the club's locker room, says the feedback he's had indicates the 32-year-old will be available this weekend.
"He tells me he's feeling good ... going by what he's telling me, he should be in the mix," he said.
"He's training; he did part of the session with us today (then) as a precaution he came out and did his own stuff towards the end. If it was up to him I'm sure he would be playing on Sunday."
Toivonen, who made 64 appearances for Sweden and scored for them against Germany at this year's World Cup, announced his retirement from international football just before joining Victory.
Muscat has asked Barbarouses to move inside from the wing this season as part of a new formation, and says he likes being in the new role where he's been able to get into good goalscoring positions.
Melbourne Victory are 5/1 to win the Grand Final.
Victory are 2/5 to win their next game against Central Coast, who are 7/1 with the draw 7/2.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com