Their opponents Dandenong Thunder boast the likes of former A-League stars Simon Colosimo, Kristian Sarkies and Rodrigo Vargas in its line-up and narrowly missed promotion into the top tier of NPL last season.

“They’re a very good side and should have gone up, but fell at the last hurdle,” Murray United coach James Coutts said.

“We know we have to be on it like how we were against Moreland City and how we were against Kingston for an hour, where we shut out one of the best wide players in the competition above us.

“If the boys play to their full potential defensively, I’m confident we can keep them out and influence the scoreline up the other end.”

Abdulkerim Koc returns to goals this weekend to replace Ben Russell, while Coutts will be back on the park and could be joined by Chad Bugeja and American import Fernando Posada.

While United has been unable to string consistent performances together this season, Coutts has been pleased the side has had no problem creating chances.

“The boys are working extremely hard to rectify that and with Chad coming back into the fold, who is an extremely good finisher, we’re hoping that as the season progresses we’ll get into the groove and start putting those chances away.

“This weekend is probably the first weekend where we’ve had the majority of the team available, bar Archie (Thompson).”