After a promising start to the year, the Suns brought the Border’s NPL1 side back to earth with a thud in round 3 with a 7-1 thumping at Shepparton.

But the return of captain Ryan Giles, inclusion of visa player Ashley Dunn and Tom Morrison’s emergence as a goalscorer has United talking up their chances.

Goulburn Valley will play their third game in seven days.

A 6-2 thumping by Melbourne Victory last Saturday was followed by a midweek 5-1 loss to Heidelberg at the last FFA Cup hurdle before the A-League clubs are added to the draw.

On Tuesday night at Olympic Park the Suns prolific goalscorer Sean Ellis limped off the field after just three minutes and won’t play, neither will their leading goalscorer Craig Carley.

Hasler said United had a point to prove.

“We’re going out to win,” he said.

“And it would be nice to get one back after what happened earlier in the year.

“Hopefully they are nursing a few injuries from their schedule but you’d expect they will be pretty hungry after having had so much success earlier in the year and now losing two in a row.”

Hasler was used as an impact player last week, playing the first 45 minutes.

“(Coach) Mick Richards gave me the heads up that we had a fresh sub on the bench — it’s not great to hear that you are only playing a half but the depth in the squad means we can all be used to play a role for a team result,” he said.

Hasler also believes a brace to Tom Morrison in last week’s win over Springvale could be the key to the former under-20 player being a permanent fixture up front.

“His two goals were cracking shots, top shelf from outside and both went in the top corner,” he said.

“If he can continue in that form then it also takes the pressure off Zac Walker.”