Melbourne Victory coach Tony Popovic hopes new signing Bruce Kamau can provide the attacking spark missing from his side's disastrous A-League Men campaign to date.
Kamau has joined Victory on a short-term loan deal until the end of the season and could soon be joined by French defender Damien Da Silva, who is firmly on Popovic's radar.
The 34-year-old Lyon player is seen as a possible replacement for Matthew Spiranovic after the former Socceroos defender announced his retirement on Thursday because of a foot injury.
But it is at the other end of the pitch that last-placed Victory have struggled most this season as one of only two ALM sides - along with Brisbane Roar - scoring at a rate of less than a goal per game.
They lost top scorer Nick D'Agostino to Norway last month but have picked up former Adelaide United and Western Sydney Wanderers winger Kamau on loan from Greek first-division outfit OFI Crete.
Kamau, who also played for Melbourne City alongside new Victory teammate Bruno Fornaroli, touched down on Wednesday and is a chance to feature in Friday night's clash with Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park.
"He's a winger that takes on players, that penetrates the line and runs in behind, and we really want that dynamic player in that front third," Popovic said.
"We feel Bruce can add to the young players that we've got here.
"His experience of the A-League, and also recently in Greece, we feel will benefit the team.
"He's just arrived and he's excited to be here, excited to be part of the club and he wants to play his part in helping us climb up the table."
Da Silva has featured seven times for Lyon in all competitions this season and could follow Morgan Schneiderlin from Ligue 1 to Australia.
Former France international midfielder Schneiderlin joined Western Sydney on loan from Nice in January.
"Damien's a player on a list that we've been looking at in terms of defenders," Popovic said.
"We've lost a lot of senior players in the last three or four weeks and now we've lost another one in Matty (Spiranovic)."
Spiranovic managed just four appearances while battling injury this season.
The 34-year-old was part of the Socceroos' 2015 Asian Cup win and also won the Asian Champions League, A-League premiership, German Cup and Australian Cup in a decorated career.
Victory are winless in six matches ahead of the Wellington clash, with just one point from that period leaving them anchored to the bottom of the ladder.
They sit five points adrift of their nearest rivals and seven off the top six, with a game in hand, but Popovic maintains hope of mounting a late finals push.
"I don't see why not but really that's looking too far ahead," Popovic said.
"At the moment what we've got to focus on is Wellington.
"We're playing at home with our home support and if we can improve on our performance I believe we can get the three points."
