A repentant Thompson said his response to club-imposed sanctions was simply the result of frustration, and after careful deliberations with the leadership group, he is set to play a role in Sunday’s clash against Perth Glory.

"Obviously my statements in the last couple of days have just been due to the hurt and disappointment I felt with management's decisions," he said.

"But speaking to the players' group and obviously listening to their bottom line I have taken that on-board and just want to move forward."

"Obviously I'm happy to be back training and I'm looking forward to the game against Perth on the weekend."

Milicevic’s future is set to be revealed this afternoon when the defender’s management meet with the club to decide his fate.

The former Olyroo captain was again absent from training this morning, indicating his time at Melbourne may have come to a rather premature end.

Victory coach Ernie Merrick denied suggestions Milicevic is a victim of double standards despite the vastly contrasting penalties faced by the pair.

“No, that is one thing we are very careful about, never setting double standards,” he said.

Merrick also refuted claims the club overreacted in dealing with the issue, stating the hardline stance has been an attempt to instil discipline within the squad and emphasise further misdemeanours will not be tolerated.

He said: “I think that is why we have reacted the way we have. We are making sure we don’t have that type of situation at our club.”

Victory football operations manager Gary Cole was steadfast when fronting a media scrum at Olympic Park, declining to comment further on the issue.

“In the case of Ljubo Milicevic, that matter hasn’t been resolved at this stage,” he said.

“The board did meet this morning to discuss it and we have organised a meeting with Ljubo and his representatives this afternoon where we will look to resolve the matter.”

It is understood the coaching staff has requested their star off-season recruit be released from the club as he is disrupting team unity.

The 26-year old became embroiled in a media storm when he, along with teammate Archie Thompson, breached team rules when they missed a team breakfast following the side’s 4-1 demolition at the hands of Adelaide United.

The pair reportedly left the hotel where the club was staying and went back out until the early hours of the morning before later sleeping through a team breakfast, although the club has refused to state which other rules were broken

Controversy has trailed Milicevic closely since his arrival in Melbourne from Switzerland earlier this year, with the outspoken defender seemingly struggling to settle in at the club.

He was also rumoured to have been on the verge of walking out of the club ahead of the A-League’s kick-off after clashing with club captain Kevin Muscat, while he has struggled with fitness after injuring his knee during round one against Wellington.

The Adelaide match was only his second A-League game for the club - and he gave United their opener in the 4-1 defeat with an accidental own goal.