Perth Glory officials are confident Robbie Fowler will be able to recover from a hectic travel schedule to face his former A-League club North Queensland on October 15.
Fowler has used the FIFA international break to return home to the UK, with the former Liverpool legend not expected to return to Perth until early next week.
The 35-year-old will then have just a few days’ rest before boarding a flight to North Queensland if he is to take on the Fury.
But despite the punishing travel schedule, Perth are planning for their marquee man to be on deck as the Glory attempt to break a worrying four-match losing streak that has seen them slip to seventh on the table.
“This FIFA window has been organised for him to go home and see his family,” Glory skipper Jacob Burns said on Wednesday.
“I think that was all planned and arranged before Robbie had signed at the start of the season for family issues.
“So, you know, at the moment I’m expecting him back.”
Glory players exchanged some home truths in the wake of the club’s fourth loss on the trot.
But Burns said the discussions had been healthy and would hopefully lead to a turnaround in form.
“You wouldn’t be the pros that we are … if it didn’t hurt us to lose,” Burns said.
“There’s fire in our belly and we’ve expressed that amongst each other but all in the right way.
“We are all pushing in the right direction.”
Burns admitted the recent performances were unacceptable.
“I think we’ve been average, below par, below our own expectations,” he said.
“If we play like that we deserve to get beat.
“I think it’s a good time for the boys to regroup, refocus and start fresh again looking to North Queensland.
“No one likes losing and no one likes to be in this position on the back of four (losses).
“But if there is a time to have a blip I’d rather have it now than towards the end of the season.
“There’s still enough time to put things right.”
Jamie Harnwell (calf) is facing an uphill battle to take his place against the Fury, while Victor Sikora (hip) is still several weeks away after undergoing surgery during the pre-season.
Burns was again overlooked for Socceroos duty despite six A-League players making Holger Osieck’s squad for Saturday’s friendly with Paraguay.
But the 32-year-old, who was also overlooked for the World Cup, said he wasn’t fazed by the latest snub.
“My number one priority is the Glory and if you get selected for your country it’s an added bonus,” he said.
“I’m sure they wanted to blood some young guys coming through and I’m all for that.”
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