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Shayne Hope

Delly to return from head knock to bolster NBL leaders

Matthew Dellavedova (C) is set to return from concussion for Melbourne United against Perth. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

Melbourne United star Matthew Dellavedova is poised to return from his latest bout of concussion to bolster the NBL ladder leaders in their next outing against the Perth Wildcats.

Title favourites United (8-1) are on a well-earned eight-day break leading into the November 6 contest, having won six straight games during a brutal 16-day schedule.

The extended rest is set to work in favour of Dellavedova, and possibly import guard Ian Clark (hamstring), as they seek returns to action.

Dellavedova has missed the last four games but has now passed all relevant medical tests associated with concussion.

The former NBA champion will return to contact training with his Melbourne teammates this week as he seeks the final tick of approval to return.

"We've made sure he's going to be ready for the next game," United coach Dean Vickerman said after Sunday's 96-84 win over the Illawarra Hawks.

"He'll get full contact ... which is the only part of his rehab that he hadn't quite got in was enough five-on-five.

"He's got a good week to get that in and he'll be ready to go."

Clark starred in Friday night's 90-82 road win over Tasmania but missed the Illawarra clash with a minor hamstring issue.

"He was close. He had a fitness test right before the game but I think it was the smart thing to not have him out there," Vickerman said.

"He won't be far away. He took a knock but I think he'll be alright." 

Melbourne's boom recruit Luke Travers is set to play against his former team Perth for the second time - and first on his new home floor - despite a knee issue.

Travers took a knock to his left knee during the Illawarra clash and spent most of the second period in the United change room.

He returned for the second half but didn't appear to be moving freely.

"He still kind of hobbled a little bit in that second half as well," Vickerman said.

"He took a nice knock in Tassie the other day and we're just learning more and more about LT.

"People at different times are going to go after him with their physicality and I just like the way he's responded every time.

"He's just got up and kept playing and had a little extra spark to him when he gets back into the game.

"It's a real positive the way he's bouncing back right now."

The Wildcats (2-5) are under all sorts of pressure and face a tough round-six schedule.

They host Adelaide at RAC Arena on Saturday before facing Melbourne at John Cain Arena two days later.

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