Melbourne skipper Kevin Muscat has torn his hamstring and will be sidelined for the opening of his side's pre-season cup campaign.
The Victory midfielder suffered a 'slight' tear in his hamstring during a 2-0 win over Whittlesea in a trial match in Melbourne on Tuesday night.
Ney Fabiano and Nick Ward netted for the Victorian-based club but Ernie Merrick's night was spoiled by the injury to Muscat.
However, Merrick took plenty of positives from the display, including Fabiano's first goal for his new side.
"It was a good performance," Merrick said.
"We've been working on possession play and closing down hard on the opposition when they've got the ball and we did both of those jobs really well."
"We created a number of chances and it's a bit disappointing that we didn't score more goals."
Ward, Rodrigo Vargas, Sebastian Ryall and Nathan Elasi got onto the pitch for the first time ahead of Sunday's clash with Adelaide United in Tasmania.
Merrick expects a lift from his team when it heads across Bass Strait.
"Kevin will be missing, but it gives us an opportunity to use other players," Merrick said.
"Evan Berger, who was suspended tonight, was impressive in the first game (against the Green Gully Cavaliers) so he'll definitely be getting a run."
"We're really looking forward to travelling to Tasmania and we hope that we'll be coming home with a win."
Meanwhile, Central Coast stepped up its preparations for a tilt at pre-season silverware with a willing clash against the Beijing-bound New Zealand Under-23 side.
The Kiwis scored a 2-1 win at Knox Grammar School.
Two first-half goals from set pieces saw the New Zealanders go to the break with a two-goal advantage, before Dylan Macallister responded for the Mariners with his sixth goal of the pre-season fixtures in the 73rd minute.
"The boys gave their all and it was another good workout as we build up to the start of the season," a pleased Mariners captain John Hutchinson said.
"I think we're very battle hardened, the boys got stuck in today and everyone is working very hard."
"Ten games is what we needed to give ourselves a good shot at a good start to the season, because as we've seen before, teams that start well often win the premiership."