Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat is not banking on Besart Berisha being available for their Round 24 clash with Birsbane Roar. Picture: Getty Images

But Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat insists his side won’t be taking its foot off the gas over the next couple of weeks as it prepares to meet Brisbane with an understrength side in 12 days time.

Victory dismantled Perth 4-1 on Saturday night, with the loss for the Glory a dent in their quest to secure a home elimination final by finishing in the top four.

Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat is not banking on Besart Berisha being available for their Round 24 clash with Birsbane Roar. Picture: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Muscat’s side has this weekend off — the second week of the A-League’s split round 23 — before travelling to Suncorp Stadium to play the Roar.

Confirmed as being on international duty that night are James Troisi (Socceroos), Marco Rojas and Jai Ingham (New Zealand), while Muscat said he expects Besart Berisha to also be away with Kosovo.

Victory players had yesterday off and will also have today off before returning for five days of solid training in a row.

A top two spot is all but locked away, but Muscat said all at Victory know the importance of entering the finals in good form.

Victory has won a joint-record three A-League grand finals and has also been runner-up on one other occasion.

“We want to keep plugging away,” Muscat said.

“No game next week and then a number of players missing the following week but it won’t make a difference.

“We’ll keep preparing to improve our performance so that when we get to the biggest game possible — (the grand final) — we’re ready.”

Each of Victory’s front four scored goals on Saturday night — Berisha, Troisi, Rojas and Fahid Ben Khalfallah.

Berisha, now on 99 A-League goals, needs just one more to become the first in the competition’s history to reach the century mark.

With 18 goals for the season he is also three clear of Melbourne City’s Bruno Fornaroli in the race for the golden boot.

Rojas said everyone was on song at AAMI Park.

“We’ve got some very good attackers and it’s always a joy to play on that front line,” he said.

“For every one of us to score was something special and we scored a few good goals.

“There are plenty of positives to take and that’s due to the hard work of the rest of the team too.”

Originally published as Victory to keep foot on pedal over break