Perth Glory stars Shane Smeltz and Liam Miller will return from injury to help the A-League club keep a grip on third place, coach Ian Ferguson says.
Marquee striker Smeltz has missed the past three games, including Thursday night’s 2-0 away triumph against Adelaide United, with an ankle injury.
And midfielder Miller has been sidelined the past two matches with a hamstring strain.
But Ferguson expected both would return for their next fixture, against pacesetters Central Coast Mariners on Sunday week.
“I’m hoping they’ll both be back next week,” Ferguson said.
“The squad is running along nicely.”
Ferguson said Glory’s destiny was “totally” in their own hands with three games remaining before the finals.
Perth host Central Coast before a scheduled away fixture against Gold Coast, with a home match against Melbourne Victory to complete their season before the finals.
“In the last 10 games, when you get to the business end of the season, I think we have had six victories which has been excellent,” he said.
“To win that many games has been really positive for the boys.
“We’re delighted with the reaction that we have had in the last 10 games.”