Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Sport
Anna Harrington

Fresh signings, injury relief to help Victory kick on

Melbourne Victory are finally back to winning ways, with two new signings and injury relief in sight, but coach Tony Popovic isn't getting ahead of himself.

Victory sit two points adrift at the bottom of the A-League Men table but eased pressure on themselves and their coach with an impressive 3-1 win over Wellington Phoenix on Friday night.

Ligue 1 club Lyon confirmed later that night Victory's transfer target, 34-year-old French central defender Damien Da Silva, had joined the ALM club until season's end.

Victory also recently signed talented winger Bruce Kamau, who should face Newcastle next-up.

Chris Ikonomidis has served his two-match suspension and Rai Marchan (concussion) is in the mix to face the Jets.

Popovic wouldn't be drawn on whether the Wellington win could prove a turning point.

"Wins always help but it's still only one game," he said.

"I never got too down in this room when we lost and I won't get too high now that we've won one game.

"But, there are things to build on and a lot more to improve. But it's a good step in the right direction."

Da Silva, who has had a lengthy career in France and played seven games for Lyon this season, will add important experience at the heart of defence following Matthew Spiranovic's retirement.

Victory could yet sign another player before the transfer window closes on February 7.

"There are things happening at the moment, which will probably continue tonight and tomorrow," Popovic said before the Da Silva news broke.

"You never know how these things land, when you think it's happening it doesn't, and when you think that one's gone, it reappears.

"We won't have to wait long. Tuesday it will be clear if we've got one, two, no players. Whatever it will be, it will be known very soon."

Otherwise, Popovic hoped a more consistent line-up would keep Victory trending upwards.

"Arguably maybe for the first time this year, we played the same team, so we didn't have to change anyone and you could see that that continuity helped the group," he said.

"Played well for 55 minutes last week, and extended those minutes with the same XI, so they'll grow in confidence and we've got players coming in, which always helps.

"We need depth and quality in our squad. I'm sure that that will grow as we continue now."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.