Adelaide United coach Josep Gombau says Isaias Sanchez is fit to face Brisbane Roar on Friday and insists the Reds can cope without centre forward Bruce Djite.
Spanish holding midfielder Isaias is a key figure for the FFA Cup holders and had been in doubt due to an ankle problem.
"Isaias is OK, he will play. He trained today and he's in a good condition," he said.
"We hope that if we win, next week he can be available," Gombau said of the powerful striker.
As for the task of replacing the central figure in the Reds' potent, mobile attack, the boss backed one of his trio of Spanish forwards to fill the void.
"We have players that can play there, we have [Sergio] Cirio, we have Pablo [Sanchez] and we have [Miguel] Palanca … that can play as a [number] nine," Gombau said.
"All of these players can do a good job there. I am confident whoever plays in this role, in this position, will do a good job."
Much has been made meanwhile of the decision to switch the match from Adelaide's regular home at Coopers Stadium to the larger Adelaide Oval, where the quality of the pitch earlier this season, at a time when it was shared with cricket, was deemed unsuitable.
The Reds finished third in the regular season and will go in as favourites despite the Roar's outstanding record against them.
Reigning A-League champions Brisbane have won their past two clashes against Adelaide, and their record at Coopers Stadium - the Reds' usual home - reads 10 wins from 17 trips.
