Western United coach Mark Rudan is set to lose one of his assistants with John Hutchinson poised to return to his old employers in the United States.

Sources close to the A-League expansion club have confirmed that Hutchinson has quit his post after less than half a season and will return to Major League Soccer club Seattle Sounders shortly.

Mark Rudan's assistant coaches at Western United, John Hutchinson and John Anastasiadis, could both be about to leave. Getty Images

Previously the head coach of Seattle's reserves team, Hutchinson's new job will be as an assistant to Brian Schmetzer, the manager of the Sounders in MLS.

Meanwhile, rumours in Melbourne suggest that Rudan's other assistant, John Anastasiadis, is a candidate to join Ange Postecoglou's coaching staff at Yokohama F. Marinos.

Peter Cklamovlski, Postecoglou's long-time offsider, has been appointed as coach of J.League rivals Shimizu S-Pulse, meaning the former Socceroos coach is in need of reinforcements.

Anastasiadis played under Postecoglou at South Melbourne as the club took out back-to-back National Soccer League titles in 1997-98 and 1998-99.

John Hutchinson won an A-League title with the Central Coast Mariners. Anthony Johnson

Rudan, who himself is catching up with Postecoglou on Monday, stopped short of denying or confirming any news on Anastasiadis' future, but said he wouldn't "stand in the way" of his staff making moves to further their careers.

"Watch this space. I'm not going to make any comment because there's no need," Rudan said.

"We're not going to make any comment but we'll never stand in the way of anybody if it's going to improve their careers going forward - what we're proud of is that we've given them a base to take off from and look to bigger and better things and greener pastures."

Both Hutchinson and Anastasiadis were signed by Western United before Rudan was confirmed as their superior.

Rudan also confirmed reports from the Herald on Friday that Western United will seek to bolster their attack in the January transfer window and are keen to sign a striker and a midfielder.

United have quality in both areas boasting the likes of Alessandro Diamanti, Besart Berisha and Panagiotis Kone, but at times have been unable to convert chances.

"We're always on the lookout, we're always having a look to grow this squad and improve the squad, so I guess we're no different to any other team. But yeah, we are (looking in January)," Rudan said.

"They're probably the two areas of the park - is probably the middle of the park and further up the field - that we're looking to improve on.

"And that process is never-ending - even for next year, as you know, (we have) a lot of players coming off contract, that goes on in every club - that recruitment drive.

"But certainly in the immediate future, in January, we're looking to improve the squad - if we can. If not, more than happy to run with what we've got - we've got some good players."

Scott McDonald will be in the squad for Saturday's clash with Wellington Phoenix in Ballarat, while Kone will face a fitness test after he was injured in last Friday's game against the Wanderers.

with AAP