Melbourne Victory star Archie Thompson is likely to play for the first time in three weeks as the fit again striker prepares for Saturday nights blockbuster Melbourne derby.
Thompson is no stranger to the derby pressure, having netted three times previous, including the stoppage time winner in the corresponding fixture last season.
Having been ‘touch and go’ against Perth last week, Thompson says the extra week off was more precautionary, quashing doubts that his troubled hamstring would cause problems this time round.
“I put in a good couple of sessions this week and I’m not having any problems with it. It was more just giving it another week, and be right for this week.”
His inclusion adds experience to a Victory side who enjoyed a 2-0 home win against the Glory last week. They will be keen to build on that performance against a struggling Heart side, which have gone through the first 10 rounds winless in the league.
The 0-0 draw between the two sides in round one has seen both clubs drift to opposite sides of the ladder. This contest shapes up as a more interesting affair than the drab season opener, with three points crucial to the plights of both sides. A win for Heart could see them move from last place, whilst a win for Victory would shore up their top four position come the end of the round.
Thompson was quick however to mention the unpredictable nature of derbies, suggesting that form means nothing in big matches like these. He was also wary of his side becoming too complacent against the cellar dwellers.
“These games are separate from your form because these are one off games,” he said.
“You forget where each team are on the ladder, obviously Heart are on the bottom, lets not forget that.”
Thompson at his cheeky best further fuelled the competitive fire between both sets of Melbourne supporters.
“It’s hard because when you look at the stadium, you look at the supporters and you look at the crowd attendance, 95% of it’s ours!
“That’s me adding a little spice to the derby.”