An initial appeal against the goalkeeper’s 15 month ban for striking referee Mark Shield effectively failed but au.fourfourtwo.com understands the Mariners are leaning heavily towards taking the next step to aid Vukovic.

A mammoth first appeal went on long into the night and saw several character witnesses speak up on behalf of the Olyroo keeper.

While it shaved a small amount off the suspended part of his ban it wasn’t enough to prevent him being sidelined until the end of November, almost certainly missing the Olympics in the process with FIFA likely to ratify the FFA’s decision.

The Mariners executive chairman Lyall Gorman told au.fourfourtwo.com: “We will be meeting with our QC at 11am on Thursday morning. At that point we will decide what our course of action will be with regards to Danny Vukovic.”

No guarantees but the Mariners clearly believe the punishment dished out to Vukovic is excessive and that every avenue is worth exhausting to revive his Olympic dream.

If today’s meeting provides enough room for encouragement then the Mariners will almost certainly press ahead with the second and final appeal open to them under FFA regulations.

Many of Vukovic’s peers and fellow Olyroos have spoken out in support of their colleague with a clear desire to see the goalkeeper on the plane for Beijing.

Olyroo coach Graham Arnold also feels for Vukovic and speaking recently said: “He’s big enough to say he probably did the wrong thing but the decision has nothing to do with me. It's totally out of character for Danny.

“It does disrupt things. He's played 14 games, he's been involved with me for two and half years, he's a senior player, he's a leader.

“He's a wonderful person to have around the place because he's the life and joy of the place. I feel for the kid. He's a wonderful kid and hopefully it will all be resolved soon.”

Vukovic has not been included in Pim Verbeek’s squad for the friendly with Singapore on March 22, Olyroo colleague Tando Velaphi and Newcastle Jets’ Ante Covic battling for the number one spot.