3 minute read

Winger Andrew Nabbout is set to return from injury to boost the Melbourne Victory for their A-League clash against Adelaide United.

With key players starting to return from injury, Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas says the struggling A-League powerhouse must start banking points.

Victory are set to be bolstered by the return of winger Andrew Nabbout (hamstring) when they play Adelaide United on Saturday while Robbie Kruse could get more game time after a half-hour cameo during his comeback against Sydney FC.

"Nabbout's obviously been here before ... he's back strong and a very aggressive-type player," Thomas said.

"I think (striker Ola Toivonen) is missing a bit of that support up top so I think he would love to have a few of those boys back and we need to start getting points on the board."

Victory are sitting in eighth position on the table with five points from six games and head to Coopers Stadium for a crunch clash with the Reds.

"Obviously the team's not happy with where we are," Thomas said.

"Personally I'm not worried or feel like it's a reflection of how it's going to be the whole season - I am very confident in the team.

"We've got a few boys coming back this week and I think when we're at full strength we really need to start making some statements."

There will be plenty of heat in the game, with Victory coach Marco Kurz against his former club, while former Victory star James Troisi will line up for the Reds.

"It's a massive game, always, heading to Adelaide," Thomas said.

"Obviously with (ex-coach Kevin) Muscat here before there was a bit of tension.

"Now we've got Kurz and with Troisi going from here to there it'll be very interesting. We're expecting a hostile, large crowd."