Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat has confirmed that forward Archie Thompson will reclaim his spot in the starting line up against Perth Glory tomorrow night at AAMI Park if he passes a fitness test.
Thompson was omitted from last week’s side due to a strained hamstring but scans during the week revealed that the 35-year-old was fit to play.
“He’s been good,” Muscat told the media Thursday morning.
“Obviously last week it was very very close.
“No point in risking it but he trained yesterday, trained well, obviously got another session this morning so if he gets through that he’ll play.”
Full back Jason Geria will also join Thompson into the starting line up with Rashid Mahazi making way for Leigh Broxham who will start in his more favourable defensive midfield position.
“Jason Geria will come into the team,” Muscat said.
“He’s started the season off very well for us – got to the point where he needed a little bit of a breather, little bit of a break but he was good away at Central Coast and he’ll come back into the team and Leigh Broxham will partner Milsy in midfield.
“Rashid will have a spell – He has done very very well for us but obviously I have to pick a team that I think is going to get us a result tomorrow night and thats why I made those couple of changes.”
Muscat will be hoping Thompson’s inclusion into the side will provide a spark in the final third, having dominated teams in recent weeks despite falling to find the back of the net.
The coach however waved away any suggestions that a traditional number nine was required at the club, praising his sides performances to date.
“I suppose if we want to change the way we play or change the current structure maybe, but I’m not interested in changing the current structure.
“As I said the structure has bought us some very attractive and good football.
“Going back to last week I think we had five goal scorers on the pitch in the last 20 minutes so certainly not losing too much sleep on changing any structure that the moment.”