Ange Postecoglou has demanded Melbourne Victory show more resilience on the road, while they need to cope immediately with a double defensive blow ahead of Saturday night's A-League 'Big Blue' in Sydney.

The third-placed Victory, hampered by a poor away record this season, will definitely be without suspended skipper Adrian Leijer while left fullback Adama Traore is in grave doubt with an ankle injury.

Traore is given little chance of playing a resurgent Sydney FC after being the victim of a dangerous challenge from behind by Ivan Franjic in Melbourne's 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar on Saturday night.

Coach Postecoglou was breathing easier on Sunday when X-rays showed no fracture but it's almost certain he'll lose the two most-experienced members of his back four for the Big Blue.

An eighth yellow card for the season to Leijer, for cynically bringing down danger man Ben Halloran late in the match, means the central defender will automatically miss the game.