Wanderers close to offering new deal to Shinji Ono Western Sydney coach Tony Popovic thinks a good run could see them make a real run at the title. Western Sydney Wanderers say they are close to offering fans' favourite Shinji Ono a deal to stay at the club. WESTERN Sydney Wanderers are inching towards the re-signing of Shinji Ono after a further round of talks yesterday over the future of the Japanese star. A cautious Wanderers chairman Lyall Gorman would only say that there had been "to-ing and fro-ing, and the ambition is there to reach an agreement" after discussions with Ono's management. But a Wanderers board meeting tomorrow night will rubber stamp a new offer that it is hoped will be acceptable to Ono's camp. The club's supporters are ardently awaiting news he will stay. It would be a dramatic boost for the club ahead of Saturday's trip to face third-placed Melbourne Victory, a hugely important encounter given extra spice because goalkeeper Ante Covic is making his 100th A-League appearance - against his previous club. Covic was released by Ange Postecoglou at the end of last season despite being Victory's player of the year, and the goalkeeper admitted his continued longevity was a source of satisfaction. "It's something I'm proud of," he said. To have played out of the country for so long but still get to 100 A-League games is something special. Victory are a very good side, who have proved this year they can beat anybody on their day. They play really attractive football and score goals, and going there is always tough. But we're in good form too, and there is a lot to play for. Covic admitted that the possibility of silverware was starting to become a target for the Wanderers squad, though he pointed to what had already been achieved as worthy of celebration in its own right. "This year has been a huge thing for me personally, the way this club has gone about its business," he said. The success on and off the pitch is something we'll remember for a long time. (Winning the A-League title) is not something we talk about, but we have a lot of belief and have played a lot of good football. We're deservedly up there, and anything's possible. As well as we're playing, there are seven games and a long way to go.