To see Victory's latest training session...

Speaking after a spirited training session this morning, the Victory supremo was confident his captain could contain the threat of Bare but ruled out using him as a man marker in this crunch Asian Champions League encounter, relying instead on Muscat's zonal nous to nullify the threat.

“I don't think Kevin will be man-marking Bare because Kevin reads the game too well," said Merrick. "His ability to support the centre backs, read the play and start attacks is important to us so we don't want to lose that.

“What's important is that our midfield needs to nullify their service to the strikers.”

Bare has scored four goals in the past three J-League games over the past week, including the side's midweek win away to Oita Trinita. The 26-year-old Brazilian played a full game on Saturday against Shimizu scoring once in the 2-0 win.

Merrick knows this is a must-win match against a side bang in-form.

He added: “They're on a bit of a roll having won their last three J-League games and their last ACL game.

"The good thing is, they play attacking football and that suits us as well. It could be similar to their 4-3 win in South Korea [against Chunnam Dragons].”

With Archie Thompson and Carlos Hernandez out, Merrick is likely to use Danny Allsopp as a lone striker supported by two attacking midfielders just off him coupled with wide men getting forward to deliver the crosses for the in-form striker.

Gamba were due to arrive at Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport today and had a light training session planned for later today.

Merrick conceded the last 15 minutes of Wednesday night's game could see fatigue set in but said Gamba's squad is big enough to cope with the four games in ten days and the flying for two of those matches.

“I was hoping they were forced to play some extra time as well last week,” he said smiling. “There may be some benefit for us in the final ten minutes.”

To see Victory's latest training session...