MELBOURNE Victory could release players as early as next month before a major overhaul of its squad at the end of the season.

It's believed coach Ange Postecoglou will release up to eight players amid plans to rejuvenate the squad for 2012-13.

Victory has 11 players coming out of contract and of those only Marco Rojas and Billy Celeski have cemented their spots in the first XI.

Isaka Cernak, Tando Velaphi, Julius Davies, Spase Dilevski, Petar Franjic and Sam Gallagher look set to be released at the end of the season.

Despite making the right-back position his own since Round 5, Diogo Ferreira could also face the chop, while a call will be made on No.3 keeper Lawrence Thomas.

Victory has two positions left on its roster but little salary cap space, hence the football department is prepared to release several players next month.

A number of Melbourne Heart players will also be playing for their futures in tomorrow's derby.

Jonatan Germano, who could come into the side, is one of 12 players coming out of contract, along with skipper Fred, Clint Bolton, Simon Colosimo, Richard Garcia, Josip Tadic, Jason Hoffman, Matt Thompson and Nick Kalmar.

The others are Mate Dugandzic, Vince Grella and Stephen Gray, who won't play tomorrow.

Both clubs will promote young players on to the senior list next season.

Andrew Nabbout's senior contract kicks in at Victory next season, as do Jason Geria's and Jordan Brown's.

Nick Ansell will start alongside Adrian Leijer tomorrow after a promising debut and he is likely to get a senior deal next season.

Victory keeper Nathan Coe said competition for places was keeping players on their toes.

"We're a team and everyone gets along but we do know we have to play and train well," Coe said.

" That's what's really spurring the team on - the competition."

Meanwhile the derby was expected to sell out overnight, with a crowd of 27,000 expected.

Heart chief executive Scott Munn said AAMI Park's capacity was fewer than 30,000 for the match.

"There are actually 30,050 seats at the venue but the total seating capacity for this game is actual capacity of 28,617," Munn said.

"That is because there are seats covered to separate active supporters from the general seated population and also for TV camera placements and other operational requirements."

Originally published as Victory player cull on cards