City fell 3-1 to Sydney FC last Friday with Muscat copping criticism for his performance on social media for fouling Filip Holosko in the box which led to Bobo opening the scoring from the spot.

Fitzgerald thought the first 30 minutes was positive before the game changed with a 10-men team as Muscat received his second yellow late in the first half.

The winger defended Muscat and believed he would be contending for a place after serving suspension this weekend.

“Definitely (unfair), with what Manny has been doing for the team since he’s come to the club, but it’s pretty harsh on him,” he said.

“We as players know what he’s like and he’s working hard and he’ll be in contention for the squad next week. We love having him at the team, there’s definitely nothing there in it from the boys perspective anyway.

“Manny has been working really hard and he’s been doing really well. Getting himself into the team and I think his game against Wellington is the best I’ve seen him play all year.

“It’s disappointing for him, but knowing Manny well he’ll pick himself back up and he’ll be back the week after and pushing for a starting spot.”

Muscat gives away a penalty and earns a yellow card after fouling Holosko

City return to play Fitzgerald’s former team on Sunday where they could potentially overtake Perth Glory's third position with a win.

It is no longer mathematically impossible for City to finish first after losing to the league leaders last week.

They would need fierce rivals Melbourne Victory, second, to stumble in order to make the top two, as 12 points separate them.

Fitzgerald arrived from a championship winning Central Coast Mariners side in the 2016 January transfer window when he was snapped up by City.

He has only started in six games out of 16 he has played this season after a battle with Bruce Kamau on the wing.

He scored his second goal of the season with a peach of a strike in the 3-1 loss to Sydney FC on Friday night and believes he has made a statement in getting a run in Michael Valkanis’ side.

“Definitely (made a statement) for me I’ve waited for an opportunity, I knew once I got the opportunity I was going to take it,” Fitzgerald said.

“It’s great to be part of the squad now. We’ve got some fantastic depth in our squad, so that’ll help us pushing onto the finals as well.

Fitzy celebrates his contender for Goal of the Season last week

“For me personally just to be able to play with the kind of players I get to everyday, it’s a big part of why I’m in the starting line-up at the moment.

“I’m Just enjoying my time here, hopefully I can stay in the starting line-up but if not we’ll definitely be pushing on to win it (the title) this year.”