Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna confirmed yesterday he would include the veteran in his squad to come to Canberra.

If he plays it will be Mrdja's first A-League game in three weeks. But it's been even longer since he was a regular part of the team. The former Canberra Cosmos player started in the last Mariners game in Canberra, in round five this A-League season, but has been in and out since.

He started in just two of the last six games, and came off the bench once.

In the last three weeks, he has played for the Central Coast's National Youth League team. But after netting a hat-trick in the NYL last weekend, Mrdja will be considered this weekend in the senior team.

And according to McKinna, time is running out for the 30-year-old to show that he can still play at the top level.

In the six A-League games Mrdja has played this year, he hasn't scored.

''I think he's potentially one of the best strikers in the A-League,'' McKinna said.

''When he was fit a few years ago he was called into the Socceroos squad and gained a cap against Argentina.

''He just needs to get that goal to get confidence.

''It happened for Matt Simon last year, he didn't score at all the year before and then got one and they kept coming.

''He needs to get goals, so he's going to be back in the squad this weekend.

''He's done well in the youth league, but he needs to do well in the first team. If he does play, he needs to contribute.''

But Mrdja doesn't feel like he is playing for his career just yet.

''At this stage, I just have to take it week to week,'' Mrdja said.

In the five years Mrdja has been at the Mariners he's only played 31 games for six goals, and spent time out from two knee operations and a host of soft-tissue injuries. After being one of the most deadly strikers in the old National Soccer League, scoring the final NSL goal in Perth Glory's 2004 final win, the time out has been difficult.

''It's been a frustrating four years, but those are the cards you are sometimes dealt and you just have to deal with them,'' Mrdja said.

''But I still think I have something to offer.

''Definitely this time around has been a lot harder, but I've got confidence in myself.

''At the moment it's hard as everyone is fighting for positions, but if I do get a chance I hopefully can take that opportunity.''

- Canberra Times.