Kevin Muscat has urged Melbourne Victory to revive the career of veteran Australia striker Mark Viduka to solve the defending A-League champions' attacking problems.

Melbourne are on the lookout for an experienced striker following the shock departure of Danny Allsopp to Qatar and Victory chairman Geoff Lord has hinted Viduka is being targeted for a potential guest spell at Etihad Stadium.

While there is speculation Viduka may retire, the Melbourne-born striker is set to return to Australia after 14 years in Europe with Croatia Zagreb, Celtic, Leeds, Middlesbrough and Newcastle.

And with a new Melbourne franchise set to join an expanded A-League next season, Muscat is urging a move for his former international team-mate, who is likely to be the top target for the new Melbourne club next season.

"A fit Mark Viduka would solve many problems I would have thought," said Muscat. "If he is anywhere near fit he could certainly do a job not only for us but any team."

The main stumbling block over any move to the A-League would be structuring a deal for Victory's international ambassador that would comply with the A-league's salary cap.

The career of Viduka, who turns 34 next month, has been in limbo since he left Newcastle following their relegation from the English Premier League last season.

Muscat is set to return for Friday's meeting with Adelaide after missing the last five games with a hamstring problem, but admits eighth-placed Melbourne, who have won only one game this season, will struggle to cope until they fill the void vacated by Allsopp to partner Archie Thompson.

"We haven't got a like-for-like player so, realistically, we have maybe got to approach the way we go forward slightly differently to complement the personnel we do have," added Muscat.

And, after picking up only six points from the opening six games of their title defence, Muscat is hoping Friday's grand final re-match against Adelaide at Hindmarsh Stadium will spark the Victory back into form.

"This week is the perfect game for us going across there," he said. "The atmosphere is great and if we can't get up for this game after the way we have been performing then I can't see what game we are going to get up for."