Premiers Melbourne City will be able to call upon star playmaker Florin Berenguer in a massive boost for their A-League Men semi-finals against Adelaide United.
Berenguer hasn't played since injuring his hamstring in the April 9 loss to Melbourne Victory but had previously been one of the ALM's most influential players.
Coach Patrick Kisnorbo confirmed the 33-year-old Frenchman was fit to feature against Adelaide, with the first leg on Wednesday night at Coopers Stadium.
"He's fit enough to play," Kisnorbo said.
"Obviously a big boost, we haven't had Florin for a while now and it's another midfielder we have amongst us.
"I don't know if he'll start tomorrow or what type of game time he can have."
City haven't beaten the other top-four teams - Victory, Western United and Adelaide this season in nine attempts - but Kisnorbo dismissed any concerns over the record, while delighting in a longer break ahead of finals.
"We haven't had a nine-day break, in god knows for how long. We haven't even had a six-day break for months and months," he said.
"It's something we haven't had a lot of so it's good to get that time we needed."
City play Adelaide at Coopers on Wednesday then host the Reds at AAMI Park on Sunday.
"It means we get a second chance if things go wrong but we're looking to go there and obviously put a good performance in," midfielder Connor Metcalfe.
"Hopefully we can put a few goals in the first (leg) then bring them back here and do the same."
City are attempting to become the first ALM team to do the premiership-championship double in consecutive seasons.
Metcalfe was among the Socceroos who missed out on last year's finals series, including the breakthrough grand final triumph, through international duties.
The midfielder, who departs for 2.Bundesliga team FC St Pauli at season's end, is raring to make an impact this time around.
"Last year I was sitting in the hotel and it gave me goosebumps sitting there watching the boys lifting the trophy, the celebrations, all that," Metcalfe said.
So this year it would be really special to actually be there, win it and it would be so good to end on a high.
"I've been here for so long. It's going to be a bit weird, me not wearing the sky blue.
"But it is what it is. I've had a fantastic seven years here so I obviously want to finish it with another trophy and go out with a bang."
Australian Associated Press
