Canberra Stadium has emerged as a potential venue for an FFA Cup blockbuster if Canberra Olympic secures a fixture against Socceroos legend Tim Cahill next month.

Socceroo Tim Cahill has made his first senior club appearance in Australian football, coming on as 64th-minute substitute in Melbourne City's 2-1 victory over Brisbane Strikers in the FFA Cup round of 16.

• UPDATED

By Ben McKay

Melbourne City are preparing to hand Socceroos great Tim Cahill a debut, possibly off the bench, in Wednesday night's FFA Cup tie against Brisbane Strikers.

Melbourne City defender Ivan Franjic has been ruled out for an indefinite period after suffering a virus during the pre-season, the club said in a statement released on Tuesday night.

Tim Cahill reveals a frank text message from his 11-year-old son finally convinced him to bring his family back to Australia.

• ANALYSIS

Tim Cahill is not the biggest signing in Australian domestic football history. But, he could well be the most important.

Tim Cahill will finally play in the A-League, with Melbourne City confirming the Socceroos' leading goal scorer has signed a two-year playing contract.

Tim Cahill or not, Melbourne City have secured a route to goals by signing up Bruno Fornaroli as a marquee for three seasons.

Pictures of Socceroos superstar Tim Cahill at New York City's training base appear to confirm that he will join A-League club Melbourne City this season.

Last season's A-League strugglers Central Coast have started the new campaign in ignominious fashion, suffering a 2-1 FFA Cup defeat to semi-professional Melbourne club Green Gully.

Tim Cahill's anticipated arrival at Melbourne City remains a sensitive topic, but the A-League title hopefuls are happy to talk about Bruno Fornaroli.

Melbourne City's rebuilding before the A-League season has gathered pace, with former Socceroo Neil Kilkenny joining on a two-year deal.

Australia's all-time leading goalscorer is finally set to play in the A-League.

Melbourne City have become the first A-League club to sign a sponsorship deal with a rival car manufacturer since Football Federation Australia lifted its restrictions on such deals.

The breakout star of last season's A-League, Bruno Fornaroli, is back in training with Melbourne City but is yet to sign a new deal.

Melbourne City set to ramp-up their pursuit of Tim Cahill following the transfer of their marquee Aaron Mooy. 

Aaron Mooy is set to embark on a dream move to English Premier League giants Manchester City after their sister club in the A-League Melbourne City agreed to a transfer on Thursday.

Harry Novillo has left Melbourne City to play in Turkey's second division.

After seemingly endless months of verbal volleys, finger-pointing and hand-wringing, all hope of Tim Cahill coming back to the A-League now hinges on a meeting of Melbourne City's executive next week.

Melbourne City has signed former Brisbane Roar midfielder Luke Brattan for next season.

Sydney FC look to have finally solved their left-back crisis for next season, signing fringe Socceroos defender Michael Zullo to a two-year deal.

Melbourne City's star striker Harry Novillo says that lurid headlines claiming he physically assaulted his girlfriend were a police and media beat up that blackened his image and hurt him personally and in the eyes of his club.

Improvement, yet disappointment, is how Melbourne City coach John van `t Schip sums up his A-League season.

Melbourne City coach John van 't Schip could not hide his disappointment at his side's second successive semi-final loss.

Adelaide United will host its first A-League grand final at the Adelaide Oval next Sunday after seeing off Melbourne City 4-1 in front of a sold-out semi-final crowd of 15,489 at Coopers Stadium.

Melbourne City is out to show they have the substance to match their style.

Ivan Franjic is out of Melbourne City's crunch semi-final with a hamstring injury.

Melbourne City will be without French forward Harry Novillo for their semi-final against Adelaide United.