Brazilian star Fred’s soft tissue means hard decisions for the Melbourne Heart as the A-League club faces the most vital match in its two-year history next weekend.

Fifth-placed Heart’s clash with seventh-placed Sydney FC at AAMI Park on Saturday night looks certain to decide both clubs’ finals fate.

And Fred’s withdrawal late in their 1-1 draw with Wellington Phoenix – coach John van ‘t Schip admitting it was because of cramping in his hamstring – means the Heart must manage him carefully through their final two fixtures and into any playoff matches.

Heart have played 10 matches without Fred this season because of a variety of soft tissue ailments – and haven’t won any.

But van ‘t Schip is confident Fred will play against Sydney FC, and also that he can be brought in and out of cotton wool at the right times to ensure he plays a meaningful role in the weeks ahead.

“Fred at the end we took out because he had some problems with his hamstring. He was stretching and we got some signals from him that we had to take him off,” van ‘t Schip said.

“It’s hopefully only a cramping that he had, so we just have to have a review on that tomorrow morning.”

But otherwise the Heart, who have played excellent football in their past three games but lack a killer blow in the final third, have virtually a full squad to choose from.

Their Olyroos stars have returned – striker Mate Dugandzic excellent against the Phoenix – and the players who suffered mid-season injuries including midfielder Matt Thompson are available at the right time.

Van ‘t Schip said the fight for positions was driving players to better performance in training and in games.

“With the players coming back from injuries and from the Olyroos, you can see immediately there is more confidence and everybody is working harder and is more competitive to be in the team,” he said.

“The level gets higher and as a team, we have made big steps. We are full of confidence at the moment.”

Sydney FC’s 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory on Saturday night means they are just a point behind the Heart and sixth-placed Newcastle Jets, though their goal difference is well shy of those two teams.