Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat has said the club has been “as aggressive as we can” as they bid to get James Troisi back to fitness for the Hyundai A-League Finals Series.
The attacking midfielder, who has been one of his side’s most consistent performers in recent seasons, suffered what was described as a “very low grade” hamstring tear during Victory’s Original Rivalry defeat by Adelaide United in Round 26.
Troisi had featured in 25 of Muscat’s 26 Hyundai A-League line-ups up to that point, and will be a keen loss should he face a lengthy spell on the sidelines, with a potential Melbourne Derby in the offing to open the finals depending on this weekend’s results.
WATCH FOR FREE: How to watch Victory LIVE and FREE this weekend
INJURY BLOW: Troisi may miss Hyundai A-League Finals Series opener
MATCH PREVIEW: Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne Victory
The good news for Victory fans is that the 30-year-old, who has five goals to his credit this season, is fighting hard for a return to action.
“He has started to do some running already, which is normal,” Muscat said, ahead of his side’s Saturday night visit to Western Sydney Wanderers.
“Those early stages probably determine how long [the player will be out] and when [he will be ready to return].
We’ve been as aggressive as we can and James has been as aggressive as he can. It’s now down to the human body.
“[The Elimination Final] is his goal. You don’t really pencil in anything…the medical team want you back training as soon as possible.
“If it’s realistic, time will tell.”
