Melbourne United have seen progress in Matthew Dellavedova's recovery from his latest bout of concussion but can't yet put a time frame on the star guard's return to NBL action.
Dellavedova has been ruled out of the ladder leaders' assignments against Illawarra and New Zealand in round four after a head knock during last week's win over Brisbane.
But Melbourne will regain Jo Lual-Acuil Jr for Friday's away clash with the Hawks after their starting centre missed the opening five games of the season following wrist surgery.
United coach Dean Vickerman said Dellavedova, who has a history of head knocks, was recovering well.
"The last two days have been really positive for him," Vickerman told reporters on Wednesday.
"He was obviously pretty flat and affected from taking another concussion ... but now I think he's stepped forward and he's positive.
"He's going to return when he's ready but he's already got in some physical activity, which is a great start."
United will take a cautious approach with Dellavedova and reassess his availability next week.
"We've seen it in the past with Shea (Ili) and we've learnt a lot from what happened last year," Vickerman said.
"It's just continuing to work with them, see what progress they're making and take those small steps and celebrate the little wins along the way."
Lual-Acuil Jr will bolster a United team seeking to keep their perfect road record alive when they visit Illawarra on Friday.
But Vickerman isn't expecting miracles from the 29-year-old on his return.
"He's such an aggressive, attacking player but I thought he just drew other people into the game today (at training) and shared the basketball," Vickerman said.
"That's what you want to see from a player returning - not to come in and just try to dominate straight away, which we know at points of the season we know he's going to.
"It was important for him to take a couple of knocks over the past week or so ... so there's a real confidence that he can go out there and play and whatever happens he can deal with it."
South East Melbourne Phoenix will regain star import Alan Williams for the first time this season when they visit the Adelaide 36ers on Thursday night.
Williams has recovered from a knee injury suffered during his off-season stint in Japan.
Phoenix guard Ben Ayre will miss the Sixers clash with a minor ankle injury, replaced by development player Luke Rosendale.
