Is this the end of the road for FBK at Victory?

Kevin Muscat and the Melbourne Victory hierarchy were tight-lipped about the Tunisian international's future following a 2-1 home victory, which keeps them within eight points of league leaders Sydney and 11 clear of new third-place occupiers Perth Glory.

They did not respond when told that Fox Sports commentator Robbie Slater had said on the match broadcast that Ben Khalfallah had told him he was being left out because his contract specified that if he played another game this season he could trigger a fresh deal for next year.

"We don't discuss contract situations, we have been fairly consistent about this," Muscat said after the win which came courtesy of second-half goals from Marco Rojas and Besart Berisha.

Muscat did confirm that Victory had no one missing through injury for this game, so Ben Khalfallah was available if the coach had wanted to select him.

Muscat's reluctance to imperil his team's momentum with talk of disgruntled players is understandable, but fans have been demanding to know why Ben Khalfallah has been missing after showing improved form this season.

There were several posts on social media early in Saturday night's game, particularly as Victory took more than an hour to break down their bottom-of-the-table opponents.

But with young winger Jai Ingham having been given a contract extension last week, it appears the writing is on the wall for Ben Khalfallah, especially as Victory also signed energetic wide man Mitch Austin at the start of this season.

Neither of those players is as skilful or experienced as Ben Khalfallah, but they have pace, power and a high work-rate - something all coaches place great store in.

The French-born attacker will be 35 when the next A-League season kicks off and it seems the coach simply believes Ben Khalfallah will not be able to deliver what Victory need in an increasingly fast-paced and physical competition.

For all of his technical gifts - and they are evident to anyone who watches him play - Ben Khalfallah's strong suit is not dropping deeper and defending, or covering for the fullbacks when they go on overlapping runs into attack.

In addition, Ben Khalfallah is a visa player, and the club will surely take the view that they can make better use of a valuable overseas player spot with someone younger, who has more upside.

It remains to be seen whether the reluctance to play him will cost them, especially as Ben Khalfallah could be used as an impact player off the bench to unlock defences late in a tight finals game where a goal needs to be found.

Muscat could face a difficult choice at the end of March, a FIFA international window, if Berisha goes off to play for Kosovo, James Troisi is called up for the Socceroos' World Cup qualifiers and Rojas is required for New Zealand, leaving him without experienced forwards.

But the coach is building for the future and in Ingham, who started against Adelaide, he sees a youngster who has the potential to show significant improvement.

Ingham was signed by Victory after impressing against them in an FFA Cup semi-final for NPL Victoria team Hume City.

Ironically his first appearance off the bench for Victory was replacing Ben Khalfallah in a 3-3 draw against Central Coast in January last year.

Since then he has often been used off the bench, but Muscat says he has earned a new deal and more game time.

"Jai is being rewarded for a number of things. He has improved tactically, he has the physical capacity to do what is required, he is always living on the edge and asking a question of his fullback. He is willing to learn and improve."

If it is the end of the road for Ben Khalfallah he can look back on his time with Victory with mixed emotions. He was a standout player in the 2014-15 premiers' plate and grand final-winning team, when his skill, goal-scoring and ability to set up teammates made him a massive contributor to the club's stellar season, and though his form slumped dramatically the following season, he has shown improvement in 2016/17.