Honda revs up for Victory return
Keisuke Honda is likely to make his Melbourne Victory return from the bench when the defending champions face leaders Perth on Sunday.
The marquee has been out for more than a month with a hamstring injury.
He had helped Victory compile a six-game winning streak before he was sidelined.
Honda is one of three players restored to Kevin Muscat's squad for the AAMI Park clash, along with Storm Roux and James Donachie.
It'd be unrealistic and unfair to put Keisuke in the team immediately.
Kevin Muscat
Victory will be without Carl Valeri and Jai Ingham due to injury as they look for a win that would take them to within a point of the Glory.
Honda regards himself as 80 per cent fit, saying: "I'm not enough to play 90 minutes yet. I might have a chance to play second half ... it all depends on the game situation.
"Maybe I have to play second half if the situation is maybe bad because maybe we have to score or attack."
The 32-year-old has returned to contention ahead of Victory's Asian Champions League campaign, and with the club having won four of their last five matches.
Muscat said: "It'd be unrealistic and unfair to put Keisuke in the team immediately. Not only for himself but the group have been tremendous in obtaining a large amount of points without Keisuke and other experienced players."
Victory have lost their last two league meetings with the Glory, who are aiming for a third consecutive win over them for the first time since August 2009.
Muscat's side have lost just one of their last 13 A-League games at AAMI Park, picking up nine wins in that time, but have kept their opponents goalless just once in that spell.
Victory are 5/4 to win their next game against Perth Glory, who are 21/10 with the draw 5/2.
Victory are 3/1 to win the game by a one-goal margin.
View all Soccer betting
Keisuke Honda is likely to make his Melbourne Victory return from the bench when the defending champions face leaders Perth on Sunday.
The marquee has been out for more than a month with a hamstring injury.
He had helped Victory compile a six-game winning streak before he was sidelined.
Honda is one of three players restored to Kevin Muscat's squad for the AAMI Park clash, along with Storm Roux and James Donachie.
It'd be unrealistic and unfair to put Keisuke in the team immediately.
Kevin Muscat
Victory will be without Carl Valeri and Jai Ingham due to injury as they look for a win that would take them to within a point of the Glory.
Honda regards himself as 80 per cent fit, saying: "I'm not enough to play 90 minutes yet. I might have a chance to play second half ... it all depends on the game situation.
"Maybe I have to play second half if the situation is maybe bad because maybe we have to score or attack."
The 32-year-old has returned to contention ahead of Victory's Asian Champions League campaign, and with the club having won four of their last five matches.
Muscat said: "It'd be unrealistic and unfair to put Keisuke in the team immediately. Not only for himself but the group have been tremendous in obtaining a large amount of points without Keisuke and other experienced players."
Victory have lost their last two league meetings with the Glory, who are aiming for a third consecutive win over them for the first time since August 2009.
Muscat's side have lost just one of their last 13 A-League games at AAMI Park, picking up nine wins in that time, but have kept their opponents goalless just once in that spell.
Victory are 5/4 to win their next game against Perth Glory, who are 21/10 with the draw 5/2.
Victory are 3/1 to win the game by a one-goal margin.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com
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