Kevin Muscat told reporters that Keisuke Honda and Ola Toivonen are "available" and Honda in particular is "likely" to start the clash with Melbourne City.

Carl Valeri is the only missing link in an otherwise resurgent Victory outfit, who have hampered by a run of injuries including a lengthy lay-off for their Japanese marquee.

"We've managed to get some good minutes into him in the last few weeks. He’s been training the whole week with the group for the last four weeks,” Muscat said.

“It's pretty likely that he'll start.

"He's at the point where he feels he can contribute more than he has been in terms of minutes.”

Honda and Toivonen's clean bill of health comes just in time for Melbourne, who apart from losing ground against Perth Glory following their loss at AAMI Park, also face a tight Asian Champions League schedule on the horizon.

Muscat said the return of their star names had lifted the entire squad.

"Everybody is available bar Carl Valeri who is very close...he's at the back end of his rehab," Muscat said.

"We've got a healthy list to choose from. Training this week has been a breath of fresh air, training with a larger group, the quality has lifted and the intensity lifts with competition for places."

It's worrying news for City fans - despite their strong record against Victory - given their form has dipped significantly over the past few weeks, narrowing the gap between them and seventh-placed Newcastle Jets. 

"It's impossible for me to guess what they're thinking, what their mentality and attitude is like," the Victory boss said.

"If you go by history you've got a fair idea. It’s not something I focus on, our attitude is the most important thing to me.

"It's great to be involved in another [derby]. They've produced - not only over this campaign - over many campaigns a lot of excitement.

“It’s a reason why so many fans come out for this game. It’s special to them, it’s special to me and it’s special to this football club."