Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic has confirmed the likely availability of striker Tomi Juric and defender Matthew Spiranovic for the AFC Champions League final first leg against Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal at Parramatta Stadium on Oct. 25. However, doubts still remain over forward Brendon Santalab.
Juric has not featured in the Wanderers' opening two games of the new A-League season. He was forced to withdraw from Australia's squad for this month's friendlies with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar due to a groin strain. Spiranovic underwent ankle surgery following the 2014 FIFA World Cup and has not played since Brazil.
Santalab, meanwhile, suffered a hamstring strain in the closing stages of the 3-2 A-League defeat by Sydney FC on Oct. 18. This was Wanderers' second consecutive defeat of the new domestic campaign. The club have reached the Grand Finals of the last two A-League seasons.
"The injured players are all improving. They are at different stages in their recovery," said former Australia international defender Popovic.
"Brendon came off with a suspected hamstring injury at the weekend and he is one we are just monitoring and he is a bit touch-and-go, while Tomi and Matthew should be available."
Juric scored two goals in four games during the AFC Champions League knockout stage successes over Japan's Sanfrecce Hiroshima and China's Guangzhou Evergrande. However, he missed the semi-final success over FC Seoul due to a combination of injury and suspension. He was the Wanderers' highest scorer of last season with nine goals in all competitions.
Spiranovic, meanwhile, enjoyed a stand-out debut season with the club prior to the World Cup having joined Western Sydney in October last year following spells in Germany, Japan and Qatar. He played all three of Australia's group matches in Brazil. However, he missed the Champions League successes over Guangzhou and FC Seoul due to surgery.
Santalab started in Wanderers' 2-0 semifinal success over last year's runners-up FC Seoul from Korea Republic earlier this month. He has netted three goals in the competition this year. But his participation in the final is doubtful as Popovic's side seek to become the first Australian winner of the continental competition.
"It is the biggest game in the Wanderers' history. It is a Champions League final and they do not come round very often, whether in Europe or in Asia," added Popovic.
"It is the biggest game that players from this region can play in at club level. We are approaching it that way and we believe that we can handle that."