Kosta Barbarouses is set to make his return in Melbourne Victory’s Hyundai A-League clash against the Newcastle Jets on Thursday night.
Barbarouses, 27, has missed Victory’s past three matches – a win and two draws – due to international commitments with New Zealand.
He has been included in an 18-man squad for Thursday night’s Round 8 encounter at McDonald Jones Stadium.
A premiership, championship and FFA Cup winner with Victory, Barbarouses played 90 minutes in each leg of New Zealand’s 2018 FIFA World Cup play-off against Peru.
The All Whites were beaten 2-0 on aggregate and missed out on qualifying for Russia.
Teenage attacking midfielder Josh Hope has also been named in the extended squad as Victory, which is unbeaten in five, looks for back-to-back wins.
Melbourne Victory squad (two to be omitted): 1.Matt ACTON (gk), 2.Jason GERIA, 4.Rhys WILLIAMS, 5.Mark MILLIGAN, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Kenny ATHIU, 8.Besart BERISHA, 9.Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10.James TROISI, 14.Thomas DENG, 16.Josh HOPE, 18.Matias SANCHEZ, 20.Lawrence THOMAS (gk), 21.Carl VALERI (c), 22.Stefan NIGRO, 23.Jai INGHAM, 31.Christian THEOHAROUS, 41.Leroy GEORGE
Ins: 9.Kosta BARBAROUSES (returns from international duty), 16.Josh HOPE (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 11.Mitch AUSTIN (knee), 17.James DONACHIE (quad)
