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Melbourne's Archie Thompson celebrates - Source: Getty -
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Melbourne Victory midfielder Tom Pondeljak has his "fingers crossed" he can play a part in the A-League grand final, while star striker Archie Thompson is ready to start in the decider.
Pondeljak missed the Victory's most recent match, last week's Asian Champions League loss to Seongnam Ilhwa, with a hamstring injury and did not train with the rest of his team on Tuesday.
But the veteran of three previous A-League grand finals, including as the lone scorer in Melbourne's win over Adelaide last year, rated himself a good chance to return against Sydney FC on Saturday night.
"I'm feeling pretty good at this stage, obviously it's pretty early in the week, which is a good thing to be feeling like this at the start of the week," Pondeljak said on Tuesday.
"I've just been doing my own light rehab work, basically just been put in a little bit of cotton wool.
"I'll probably get involved with the boys later in the week and hopefully fingers crossed we'll be right for the grand final."
While hopeful of resuming his regular starting role, the 34-year-old said he would not be upset if coach Ernie Merrick used him as a substitute.
"That's not a problem, I might be (playing a) half, I'm more than happy to try to come on and do my bit for the team, I'll be more than happy to be involved in any shape or form come Saturday," he said.
But Thompson, who last started a match on January 26, before being sidelined by a foot fracture, is full of confidence about his readiness to shine for a full game on the big stage.
After coming off the bench to score the major semi-final goal against Sydney which put Victory through to host the grand final, Thompson struggled through 30 minutes against Seongnam two days later.
But he joined a full training session on Tuesday for the first time since that match and said he pulled up well.
"The session today just felt unbelievable, I'm moving great," Thompson said.
"There wasn't as much pain, there's obviously going to be stiffness ... but I feel great and I think I'm just excited to get out and hopefully start a game and especially one of the biggest games of the season."
He was confident of playing 90 minutes, but said if the game went into extra time it could test him.
"I'll certainly try, it depends how my old body pulls up," Thompson said.
"Hopefully we'll already have it sewn up by then, that's what I'm hoping for, but hopefully I can contribute again something special like I did in the major semi-final."
