Victory decimated for big A-League clash It's all hands on deck for Melbourne Victory, who must confront Saturday's Big Blue with a threadbare squad. As many as nine players could be missing from Kevin Muscat's squad travelling north for Saturday's A-League marquee match against Sydney FC. International commitments, ineligibilities and injuries have conspired against Victory, who like their opponents are unbeaten this season. The clash between club and country has been known for weeks but it's only as the match gets closer the full absentees list has become clear - and it doesn't make for pretty reading for Muscat. In-form attacker Kosta Barbarouses is away with New Zealand, with Daniel Georgievski and Connor Pain also on international duty. Injury has prevented Mark Milligan, Scott Galloway and Jason Geria from meeting their international commitments - deeming them ineligible for the round six match. Throw in injuries that should sideline Nick Ansell (foot) and Matthieu Delpierre (hamstring) and there are the makings of a full-blown crisis. It could yet be worse for Victory, with veteran striker Archie Thompson leaving training early on Wednesday. He joined Besart Berisha, Gui Finkler and Fahid Ben Khalfallah out of the sun, though club officials said the decision to keep them inside wouldn't stop them playing in Sydney. One of the few putting his hand up for selection, Adrian Leijer, said there was frustration with the clash of international and club dates but it would also provide a good test. "It's not ideal but Muscy's put together a really strong squad and we're all comfortable whoever's going to be out there we can still put together a really strong team," he said. The A-League has yet to adopt the practice of breaking for international dates, which is standard form in European leagues, as advocated most strongly by Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold. Leijer said he could see the benefit of soldiering on. "I'm two-sided on the issue," he said. It also gives young Australian kids an opportunity, the league's growing, it's a time in calendar where there's not much sport going on so its a good time for us to play. The defence is where Victory has seen the most change this season, with eight players already appearing in the back four. But Leijer's argument is that from the fire, Victory can forge strength. "You'd like everyone out here training but that's why we've got a squad," he said. No matter who's out there, the depth we've got this year is massive. Kosta Barbarouses - NZ international duty Daniel Georgievski - Macedonia international duty Connor Pain - Olyroos duty Mark Milligan - ineligible - called up for Socceroos duty but sidelined by injury Scott Galloway - ineligible - called up for Olyroos duty but sidelined by injury Jason Geria - ineligible - called up for Olyroos duty but sidelined by injury Nick Ansell - injury Matthieu Delpierre - hamstring injury Archie Thompson - injury cloud after leaving Wednesday training early