Sydney FC striker John Aloisi will have to prove he’s 100 per cent fit to play in the grand final against Melbourne, with coach Vitezslav Lavicka not prepared to take any risks in Saturday’s A-League decider.

Aloisi is facing a race against time to be fit for the clash at Etihad Stadium after limping off early in Saturday night’s 4-2 preliminary final win over Wellington with a hamstring injury.

The former Socceroos marksman will have scans on Sunday and is believed to be rated a 50-50 chance of recovering in time for the final.

Despite being the last game of the season, and possibly Aloisi’s last for the club with his future unclear, Lavicka plans to stand firm on his philosophy of picking only fully fit players.

“I prefer to use the players who are one hundred per cent,” Lavicka said.

“We want Johnny and hope that he will be ready for next weekend.

“Yes, the grand final is the most important game of the year maybe, but we need fresh and healthy players for that.

“It’s hard to say now, we need Johnny, but he must be healthy.”

The Czech coach proved his hardline stance on fitness by leaving Shannon Cole (hamstring) out of the win over the Phoenix despite the Socceroos defender’s pleas to play.

Cole should be fit to return at Etihad Stadium, though Lavicka will be pleased with Sebastian Ryall’s performances in his absence.

Even if Aloisi is ruled out of the decider, Sydney will be confident with their ‘killer Bs’ combination of Alex Brosque and Mark Bridge working beautifully together against the Phoenix.

The pair combined to orchestrate a 3-0 win over the Victory at Etihad earlier this season and while Brosque admitted he enjoyed the combination, he hoped to have Aloisi available to maximise Sydney’s attacking options.

“We’d still prefer Johnny be there because last week we did well against them (in the major-semi final second leg) and having Johnny on the park adds extra options for us,” said Brosque, who was at his brilliant best against Wellington.

“They like to man-mark, Melbourne at the back, so if Bridgey’s there, Johnny’s there and myself, it’s harder for them to pick us up I guess.”

If Aloisi is missing, it would pave the way for teenage striker Chris Payne to start after his two-goal performance off the bench, which included a controversial handball incident.

© AAP 2012

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