Melbourne Victory captain Carl Valeri will travel with the squad to Wellington this week as he pushes to make his long awaited return from illness.

Valeri was diagnosed with an inflammatory brain condition earlier this season, which had been affecting his balance.

Just a short time ago, it looked as though Valeri would miss the remainder of the season, however, he has recently returned to full training and says he is ready to return to the pitch.

“A few months ago we didn't know what was going to happen and to be back in and amongst the boys, it's a great feeling and I realised how much I missed it and how much it puts me in a positive mood as well,” Valeri said.

“I'm fit and healthy. To do the type of training these boys do you can't be a little bit off, you've got to be 100 per cent on and I feel great.

“I'm very lucky I've got a great support base at home, my family is fantastic. My wife is awesome, she looks after me and then I've got the extended family as well.

“And obviously the club, their support was outstanding. Muscat was having chats with me. It's not often you get a coach who calls you in and says ‘just have the season off, I'm just worried about you.' He wasn't talking to me as a coach or anything he was talking to me as a friend.”

Melbourne Victory, who are now all but assured of a spot in the finals, take on Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium on Saturday afternoon at 5.15pm AEDT.