He returns hoping to secure something priceless to the Wollongong Wolves, by beating Blacktown City on Sunday.

The Wolves are on the cusp of glory, their first season premiership since claming the National Soccer League crown in 1988, though they've celebrated championship-winning grand final success in 2000, 2001 and 2008 since.

Wilkshire had missed the Sutherland game on Saturday night after flying to Moscow for the ceremony of the new state-of-the-art VTB Arena, having spent much of his professional playing career with Dynamo.

Seven points clear with three rounds remaining, it would take a disaster for the Wolves to be denied glory and beating Blacktown would put it beyond doubt.

The Mercury has confirmed the Wolves would lift the trophy on the last day against Marconi at WIN Stadium, rather than on Sunday, if they do triumph.

READ MORE: How Wollongong Wolves rebuilt the club to reclaim glory days in NSW NPL

It's also understood Wilkshire and Wolves officials have held talks about extending his stay at the club, after an extraordinary start to his coaching career.

Captain Justin Pasfield, who spent almost a decade in the A-League with five clubs, urged the playing group to stick together and help build the club to be a regular NSW National Premier League powerhouse again. However, the experienced goalkeeper, who has conceded just 14 goals in 19 games, warned the Wolves not to take their postion for granted.

"We've got a job to do first and hopefully we can go out there on Sunday and win the game," Pasfield said.

"It's business as usual for us this week, it's just about playing well against Blacktown. But yeah, I'd like to hope that the boys can stick together next year and continue to build what we have.

"This is the first year most of us have played together and we've been able to achieve a lot so far, but a lot of the guys are also Wolves and Illawarra juniors."

Blacktown are 11 points back in third place, having picked up 10 of the last 12 points available following a slow start to the campaign.

Pasfield had little doubt about Blacktown's credentials as a finals threat.

"I've always expected them to be there at this end of the season," he said.

"They've shown the class they have and I definitely expect to be seeing them again this year in the finals."

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