Hobbled Melbourne City superstar Tim Cahill will struggle to recover in time for Saturday night's A-League clash with the Brisbane Roar after the club's historic FFA Cup win.
The 36-year-old was limping around following full-time after a crunching tackle required his substitution in the 61st minute of the 1-0 win over Sydney FC at AAMI Park.
Cahill, who scored the match winner with a deft header in the 53rd minute on Wednesday night, appeared to hyperextend his left knee when Josh Brillante came clattering into him from behind.
"[It's] not too bad ... I did a few hours work last night after the game," Cahill told reporters on Thursday.
"I watched the game again ... it wasn't the best tackle but it is what it is and we get on with it.
"There is a bit of swelling but I'll be doing everything possible to be available for Saturday.
"I don't know if I'm confident but I think the main thing is always making sure you stay professional enough to at least start on the bench and come on and be a threat.
"I'm definitely going to give myself a shout."
Cahill was left out of the most recent Socceroos side that was held to a 2-2 draw by Thailand in Bangkok in November, with coach Ange Postecoglou keen for him to regain peak fitness.
The former Everton star has also nursed a sore Achilles tendon early in his first A-League campaign.
"I've had a few other little knocks that I was carrying ... you don't want to miss many games and you want to be a part of the group," he said.
"I reckon I can make it onto the bench but I'm not 100 percent."
City, currently second on the A-League ladder, will host fourth-placed Roar at AAMI Park.
Cahill is hopeful the breakthrough FFA Cup win over the runaway league leaders can help spur his side on to a maiden A-League title.
"It's not just about winning silverware ... but this is definitely a big piece of the puzzle to move forward," he said.
"We're not where we want to be but we're improving week-in and week-out."
Cahill revealed a bold prematch prediction made by Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold had helped fire up City.
"They said 'We will win' ... I asked the boys 'How does that feel?'," he said.
"They [Sydney] said that it was just another game but for us if you think this is just another game we don't want you in this change room."