Key City duo fit for A-League test

After a week of soul-searching, Melbourne City have been bolstered by the return to fitness of international pair Harry Novillo and Aaron Hughes for their A-League trip to Adelaide.

Frenchman Novillo, 23, returns after getting clearance from a hamstring problem while Hughes, 35, has overcome a calf issue and is set to make his City debut.

It's a welcome tonic for coach John van 't Schip, who saw his side throw away a 2-0 lead at halftime last Friday night against Newcastle Jets to lose 3-2.

The City boss was enraged by his side's fade-out, saying he would welcome the experience into the line-up and embolden his players to continue their high-pressure, high-intensity outlook.

"I think we really should look in the mirror," he said.

"We have to be more brave and courageous to keep on doing what we were doing instead of what happened.

"But it's also a fact that the depth ... we're playing with very young players and you know with young players it's up and down."

Injuries have been the bane of Melbourne City's short existence, with problems cruelling former high-profile players including Harry Kewell, Orlando Engelaar, Fred and Josh Kennedy.

Current international marquee Robert Koren, 35, is currently out with a calf strain, with newly-signed Socceroo Ivan Franjic not likely to feature until next month with a quad issue.

But this week has brought undeniable good news, especially given Novillo's sharp pre-season form.

Novillo was originally diagnosed with a 12-week layoff but returns ahead of time after careful management from his medical team.

On Wednesday, van 't Schip said the words every City fan in attendance for their 5-1 FFA Cup thrashing of Wellington Phoenix - in which Novillo starred before injuring his hamstring - wanted to hear.

"Harry's back."

"He had difficult moments, it's an injury that you feel already after a few weeks that you can go out and play."

Against Adelaide, City take on the only side yet to win this season, but van 't Schip didn't agree that United had faded from their previous form.

"I don't know if they look like a shadow, their results are not good," he said.

"But looking at the games they have played, you see how many chances they still create and how much possession they have."