The upcoming U23 Asian Cup in Qatar doubles as qualification for the Paris Olympics and Tilio, who scored in the Tokyo Games, was due to depart Melbourne in coming days for the tournament.

Tilio was ruled out of Saturday night's 2-1 derby loss to Melbourne Victory with what City called a "minor quad injury" after pulling up sore from their loss to Central Coast.

The 22-year-old had only recently returned to action from a hamstring tendon injury.

City and Football Australia medical staff were liaising regarding the severity of Tilio's new setback.

"We'll know more in the next couple of days," stand-in City coach Raffaele Napoli said.

"Post-game, he pulled up - he obviously got through the game but didn't respond well. So we'll know more of it in the next day or two.

"I'm assuming he'll get assessed in the morning."

Australia open their campaign against Jordan on April 15, then face Indonesia and Qatar in their other two group matches on April 18 and 22.

The Olyroos must finish in the top three to qualify directly for Paris, with the fourth-placed team to take on Guinea in a play-off.

City will also be without right-back Callum Talbot while the Olyroos are away, given the tournament happens outside an international break.

"At the moment Scotty's (Galloway) out too so we've got a bit of thinking to do and work out what we're gonna do," Napoli said.

City are four points behind sixth-placed Western Sydney with three games to go and their finals in the balance.

"There's nine points up for grabs, it's there for the taking," Napoli said. "It's not gonna be easy. We've still got to play the Wanderers.

"But we play them in two weeks, so we're not even thinking about that.

"We've got to recover, get right, reflect on the performance, improve and focus on Perth because they're another tough team."

Coach Aurelio Vidmar is expected to return to the touchline after missing three games through illness.

"He's improving. It was quite a serious illness he had," Napoli said.

"But he's improving a hell of a lot, he's connecting with the boys a lot, he spoke to the boys today.

"So I think all systems go next week and we'd all love to have him back."

Australian Associated Press