Victory coach Kevin Muscat says a win would have been apt reward for his men against Brisbane

MELBOURNE Victory will now finally get players back and a clear run at selection. But coach Kevin Muscat is wary things aren’t simply going to turn for his struggling side.

Besart Berisha after the 1-1 draw. Picture: AAP

IT would be easy for Melbourne Victory to put a line through the first six weeks of the season and start afresh next weekend such has been the circumstances dealt to it so far.

But coach Kevin Muscat isn’t so sure his side is out of the woods yet in terms of its disrupted start to the campaign.

Victory is enduring, for the first time ever, a winless six-game stretch to start a season having picked up yet another 1-1 draw on Saturday night, this time against Brisbane at Etihad Stadium.

TUMBLE: HOW A-LEAGUE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN

On face value the club’s season can start anew against Perth on Sunday night given that internationals Mark Milligan, James Troisi and Kosta Barbarouses will be available once more and Mitch Austin is back from suspension.

Besart Berisha after Saturday night’s draw with the Roar. Picture: AAP

It will have a consistent run at the selection table until February’s start to the Asian Champions League, unlike the first six rounds, three of which have fallen in international windows.

But Muscat still has to keep his fingers crossed that Troisi and Milligan get through Wednesday night’s Socceroos World Cup qualifier against Honduras unscathed.

And there is doubt that a jet-lagged Barbarouses will even be available given he plays for New Zealand in Peru on Thursday afternoon (Australian time) and Victory flies to Perth on Saturday.

So Muscat remains wary.

Kevin Muscat shares an embrace with war veteran Jack Jones before the round six clash with Brisbane Roar in what was the league’s ‘Remembrance Round’. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s dangerous to just assume things are going to turn around,” he said.

“I don’t think we’re out of the woods in terms of getting everyone back.

“But, when you hand-pick four or five players out of any team in the league, I daresay it would be difficult for them.

“That’s why, if anything, I was gutted for the group (on Saturday night) because the mainstay of that group had been there for every game this season and had worked so hard under the circumstances.

“Three points would have rewarded them.”