The attacking-midfielder was picked up by City after Scottish signing Michael O’Halloran picked up a hamstring injury in early October.

Baccus has played in all four games so far for City and impressed coach Joyce, who is now looking at how he can keep the 27-year-old at Bundoora.

“We've just got to explore what avenues we've got,” Joyce said this morning. “He's come in and done really well, a good character and a good man.

"He's adapted to the group well and has given a good account of himself in the games he’s played.

“Even now there's still more to come from him, he's getting fitter as the weeks go by. In the last 10 days, he would've improved his fitness leading into the next few games.

“We're just exploring what we can and can't do, it's a complicated setup with injury replacements, so we're just working through what's feasible and what we can achieve.”

Joyce said O’Halloran was tracking along nicely, but was unable to give any timeframes on when the Scotsman would be available.

“He's joined in yesterday for the first full-time where there were no restrictions,” he said.

“He's had a couple of days where there has been some restrictions on what he's doing, but at least he's back on the park and leading towards full-fitness.

“It's so far, so good, for him. The medical staff have done a good job and he's eager to play and prove himself in this league.

“We're guided a bit by the medical staff as well, it's a bad injury really, he's worked hard, built up a lot of strength and done all the things he's been asked to do

“We just want to make sure when we get him back, there are no more hiccups and he's a really useful player for us between now and the end of the season.”

City travel to take on Brisbane Roar tomorrow night.