Ono deal key to keeping top talent at club, says Popovic Staying: Shinji Ono has re-signed for Western Sydney. Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic says the re-signing of Shinji Ono will prove pivotal in the fight to keep the club's best players, after the Japanese marquee star agreed to stay a further season with the table-topping club. The 33-year-old landed in Australia barely a week before the season but has been a sensation on the field and an equally big hit off it, where he has achieved cult status among fans. With success comes interest from foreign clubs, however, and Western Sydney will brace themselves for an onslaught of offers from Asian clubs looking for fresh Australian talent. But Popovic said Ono's decision to stay with the Wanderers should encourage other players who have been part of the record-breaking first season to stick around for the long term - and persuade players from different clubs to sign up. "It's a great day for the club to have him on board for another season and I'm sure other players would be encouraged to join us if the opportunity arises," Popovic said before training on Friday morning. It's good to see a smile on his face and see him enjoy his football and we will do everything we can to continue that next year. Popovic said Ono loved the game again after an indifferent spell with Shimizu S-Pulse in the J-League, where many questioned if he would ever be able to perform again at the top level. There were many factors. He's happy here playing week-in week-out, [his] body is in a much better shape than it was six, 12 months ago, and that always makes a difference," Popovic said. He enjoys Sydney, he loves it here and he loves the club. I'm sure it wasn't a financial decision but his happiness was a big contributor to the decision. Ono said he was delighted to extend the deal with his fifth professional club. "I want new challenges with this team," Ono said. I have played in the [Asian] Champions League and I know [the experience] but we are not there yet, so we have to keep our concentration going. Although he missed last week's win over Melbourne Heart with a hamstring complaint, Ono said he was confident he would start in the Sydney derby on Saturday night. "Every game is big for us, so basically it is just another game," he said. But tomorrow will be special for the supporters. I think I'll play. I'm ready but the coach picks the team so you should ask 'Popa' about that. Popovic said he expected Ono to play up front - which is just as well considering the team is missing Aaron Mooy, Youssouf Hersi and Jerome Polenz. "He looks OK and it's a bit of a day-by-day proposition with him," Popovic said. We will check him after training today but he should be fine. The sold-out clash may be a contender for the most eagerly anticipated A-League regular season match of all time, given what's at stake for both teams. While a win would secure the Premiers Plate for Western Sydney, a victory for the Sky Blues would almost certainly secure their place in the finals. "We've just won 10 consecutive games, which means while we don't have the experience they do, we'll have the confidence and belief to win," Popovic said. However, the Wanderers coach said Frank Farina had given Sydney a short-term spike since taking over as manager. They've made a vast improvement. When Frank took over I said at the time that I thought Sydney would improve and I'm not surprised," Popovic said. They've got some big-name players at their club and I'm sure they're used to big occasions and big matches ... They'll thrive in this environment and I'm sure they'll be prepared and ready for a tough game, but so will we. Farina said Lucas Neill will start after missing last week with a calf strain. However, he will keep his goalkeeper - Vedran Janjetovic or Ivan Necevski - a mystery until kick-off. "Both of them are going to be ready and prepared, so I'll announce that tomorrow," he said.