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Perth Glory have received a massive boost with star midfielder Neil Kilkenny cleared to take on Adelaide United on Friday night.
Perth Glory coach Tony Popovic has declared Neil Kilkenny fit to play in Friday night's A-League semi-final against Adelaide United.
Kilkenny sent a major scare through the camp when cut down by an ankle injury at training on Saturday.
Popovic feared the worst at the time but scans have cleared him of serious damage.
Kilkenny failed to train on Tuesday but was due to join his teammates for Thursday evening's closed session.
Popovic said he would line up against Adelaide at HBF Park barring any unforeseen late setbacks.
"We expect him to play," he said.
"When a player goes down in a training game, he's distressed and you fear the worst for the player.
"But he's worked extremely hard. The medical staff have done a great job."
The 33-year-old has played a key role in Perth's hot form, combining brilliantly with the club's strike force to help make them the league's most potent side.
But it is also defensively where Glory have thrived, conceding a league-low 23 goals in 27 games.
They have have been extra stingy against Adelaide, not conceding a single goal across three matches this season.
Glory won two of those 2-0, with the other being a 0-0 draw.
Perth enter Friday's match on the back of a 12-day break compared with Adelaide's five.
United were brave in last week's 1-0 elimination final win over Melbourne City but the fact the match went to extra time means there are doubts about Adelaide's ability to go the distance against Perth.
Popovic doesn't think it will be a factor.
"If you spoke to any player for Adelaide right now I don't think they could care less that they've only had a short turnaround," he said.
"They'd be excited to play the game."
Skipper Diego Castro looms as a decisive figure in the match, having won the club's best and fairest award despite missing seven games.
Chris Ikonomidis, Andy Keogh and defender Matthew Spiranovic also shape as key players.
Adelaide will rely heavily on skipper Isaias Sanchez, Craig Goodwin, Ben Halloran and goalkeeper Paul Izzo.
STATS THAT MATTER
* Perth have kept clean sheets in their three games against Adelaide this season, winning two and drawing the other.
* Adelaide have only lost one of their past eight A-League games away from home (three wins, four draws, one loss)
* Glory midfielder Neil Kilkenny has made 292 passes into the final third this season, the most of any player and 49 more than Adelaide's best Isaias (243).
