Melbourne Victory consider January transfer swoop as injuries and internationals take a toll

MELBOURNE Victory coach Kevin Muscat has left the door open for a January purchase as his side enters uncharted waters.

MELBOURNE Victory coach Kevin Muscat has left the door open for a January purchase as his side enters uncharted waters.

Victory are desperate for a win when they host Perth Glory at AAMI Park on Sunday aiming to arrest a four-game losing streak, while five players will be lost to Olyroos duty in a week.

Socceroo James Troisi is on the market with his Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad keen to offload him and Victory, his former club, could be vying for his services with cross-town rivals Melbourne City.

With an eye on the Asian Champions League, which kicks off in February, Muscat did not rule out dipping into the transfer market, while the likes of Alex Wilkinson and Olyroo Steven Ugarkovic are free agents.

“If something does occur that interests us because it’s going to improve us and it’s not going to destabilise the team in terms of the way we want to play, and positions, we will look at it,’’ Muscat said.

“But at this point in time we haven’t been active and if we are we will wait until something occurs before we discuss it, we will keep it in house.

“The (Olyroos) replacements will come from within the group, that’s why they have been here from pre-season. They will be more than familiar, their endeavours and hard work will now get them an opportunity to perform.

“The hardest thing is the sheer number of players missing.’’

Stand-in captain Leigh Broxham will push forward into his more natural midfield position to replace injured Rashid Mahazi (knee), with Thomas Deng set to be rewarded for his Olyroos call up with a spot in defence.

Victory's Thomas Deng looks set for another shot in defence.

“He (Mahazi) will be no good, it’s a little bit too soon, but he’s running already so he will fine for next week,’’ he said.

“I thought Tommy (Deng) did really well when he came on last week. He is certainly a good chance of coming in and pushing Leigh into midfield.

“You are going to miss good players. I think more so than that when it initially happened and we had to break the news to the players it was more about his well being.

“That took a little bit more than worrying about what we missed tactically or him as a footballer. When you hear about the illness he had initially you start to worry about someone you care deeply about.

“We seem to have steadied that now, he is on the mend and seems okay, he is in the gym, and hopefully he has another appointment in just over two weeks and we will get the all clear for him to start training.”

Kevin Muscat has been left frustrated by results and absentees.

Muscat was confident Victory’s performances would soon be rewarded.

“No doubt there has to be some change and the change has to be results, but in terms of what we’re trying to do we’re going to persist and it’s something that’s brought us rewards in the very recent past,’’ he said.

“Yes we need to get better at certain things but all in all the performances have been good. Previous games would have resulted in a lot more points but that’s the situation we find ourselves in and we’re going to have to perform well to take anything from the game.’’

Originally published as Melbourne Victory consider January transfer swoop as injuries and internationals take a toll