The injury cloud that's disrupted so much of the Brisbane Roar's 2009/10 A-League campaign is set to finally clear with this week's bye round, much to the delight of coach Ange Postecoglou.
Postecoglou declared on Friday that the likes of Massimo Murdocca (broken leg), Michael Zullo (groin), Liam Reddy (quadriceps), Henrique (knee) and Charlie Miller (groin) were all close to making a return.
The club's National Youth League side will be in action on Saturday against Central Coast before hosting the AIS on Wednesday, and Postecoglou is hoping a few of his beleaguered charges will prove their fitness in these fixtures.
"I reckon Henrique and Murdocca will have a run there (against the AIS) for at least half a game. If they get through that, that means they're back into full swing," Postecoglou said.
"The Victory game (November 21) might be coming a bit early, but certainly the one after that - against Wellington - I'd expect them to be ready to go."
"Charlie Miller has trained all week, so we'll see how he pulls up after the week, and if he can get through another week … he'll be available."
"Mass (Murdocca) might play tomorrow for half a game, and Bob (Malcom) will probably have 90 minutes to keep his fitness up."
"Liam Reddy will hopefully be right for next week as well."
The only sour note for the club was a hamstring complaint that Reinaldo picked up in last week's clash with Adelaide United.
"He (Reinaldo) hasn't trained this week, but we figured we'd give him a quiet week, so we'll see how he pulls up."
Michael Zullo, who has been battling osteitis pubis for the duration of the season, was another of the Roar's haggard stars to impress Postecoglou during the week off.
"At the start of the week, we were probably thinking he was two or three weeks away, but he's actually done some good sessions this week."
"The last two days he's done pretty much full sessions."
"It's just a matter of seeing how he pulls up, but if he pulls up well, he shouldn't be far off it either."
Brisbane snapped a five-match winless streak with a 2-0 upset triumph over the Reds last Friday at Hindmarsh Stadium.
Postecoglou believed his side was building confidence on the back of that result and a fitter squad.
"Tommy Oar comes back for the next game as well."
"When you get more bodies back - I think we've got some competition for places, which is good."
"It creates an atmosphere where everyone's (aware of) the standards, they've got to perform at their best at training and in games to make sure they are part of it."
"I've got no doubt that our results will improve and the players probably know that as well, and they want to be a part of it, they don't want to be sitting on the bench."