FORMER Socceroo Mark Bosnich has implored Kevin Muscat to make a shock playing return to the arena in a bid to save Melbourne Victory's season.

Victory's campaign is on a knife-edge, with interim coach Jim Magilton yet to win in five matches and its next games against A-League leader Central Coast and champion Brisbane Roar.

Should Melbourne Victory lure Kevin Muscat out of retirement? Tell us below

It is a year since a tearful Muscat announced his retirement after his horrendous tackle on Melbourne Heart's Adrian Zahra.

There was a suggestion he might have reversed his plans after playing on until May in the Asian Champions League.

Muscat, 38, has slotted into the assistant coaching role under Mehmet Durakovic and now Magilton, but is in reasonable shape as he regularly participates in Victory training.

A month after Paul Scholes, 37, stunned Manchester United by coming out of retirement, Bosnich said another of his former teammates could reignite Victory's season.

''With their current situation, it's a no-brainer,'' Bosnich said.

''I can't see why Musky doesn't register himself for the last seven games of the season,'' Bosnich said.

''They've just signed the Spanish defender (Ubay Luzardo) and Adrian Leijer had his best game of the season, but he's struggling with injury.

''It obviously depends on his physical shape, but as far as I'm aware he's in good nick and with his organisational skills it would be a great weapon to have up their sleeve.

''No matter what the problems are at the moment, if they go on a run, don't worry about the top six.

''They can still make the top four and I think Musky can play a big part. He can play a cameo role at least, and like Paul Scholes and Thierry Henry returning to Arsenal, I don't see the problem.''

Victory has added Socceroos defender Mark Milligan to its books but his loan deal ends after the last game of the regular season.

Fox Sports pundit Bosnich revealed he wasn't alone in suggesting a comeback to Victory's inaugural captain, who has endured a steep learning curve as assistant coach.

''There is certainly a school of thought out there that he can do it and I know a few people have told him to register himself, even if he were to come on for the last 30 minutes of a match,'' Bosnich said.

While critical of Muscat's tackle on Zahra last year, Bosnich led a chorus of support for him to play one more season.

''I think mentally he's fine and even after I said about the tackle, I thought it was one of the reasons he should have gone on and played another year,'' Bosnich said.

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VICTORY midfielder Grant Brebner has been suspended for one match after being sent off in Saturday's derby.

Originally published as Bring back Kevin, pleas Bosnich