Robbie Kruse is set to return to the Melbourne Victory line-up for Wednesday night's clash with Newcastle Jets.
The 22-year old has been away with the Australian national team, coming on as a sub in three of the Socceroos' Asian Cup matches, but will be back to A-League action as the Victory strive to secure their finals spot.
They host the Jets at Etihad Stadium following yesterday's 2-0 win over Gold Coast United and coach Ernie Merrick is excited to have another striker in the ranks, and no less, their leading scorer this season.
"I'd like to have that problem," Merrick said of adding Kruse to the attacking weaponry of Danny Allsopp and the injured Archie Thompson who is back for the final match of the season before the finals campaign.
"Robbie comes back and gives us another option. Our expectation is that he will play on Wednesday night. (As for) Archie, we're aiming for Adelaide away - that's our target, he's certainly training well."
The Victory almost shored up a top-six finish thanks to Allsopp's superb brace at AAMI Park yesterday and a favourable result against the Jets will almost certainly put them into the playoffs for the 2010/11 season.
