Melbourne Victory have given Carl Valeri more time to recover from a serious brain-related inflammation, ruling the club captain out for the rest of the campaign.

The 31-year-old has not played since November after developing the condition, which gave the midfielder vertigo-like symptoms and left him unable to train.

He has agreed with club leaders to remove himself from contention for the balance of the season, which should give him the space he needs to get well.

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Doctors and specialists have been unable to discover the cause of Valeri’s problem but are treating it.

“Carl’s condition has continued to improve with treatment but he has not recovered sufficiently to be able to return to football training,” Victory club doctor Krishant Naidu said.

“The inflammation remains isolated and continues to decrease in size.

“We are optimistic that Carl will continue to make a full recovery [in] a few months.”

Valeri, who will continue his rehabilitation under the club’s supervision, said he was grateful to have the pressure of expectation taken from his shoulders and thanked those supporting him.

Valeri was suffering from balance and co-ordination problems. Photo: Getty

“It has been a frustrating time for me not being able to join my team-mates on the pitch for the last few months,” he said.

“The doctors have been happy with the progress I’ve been making but they believe it’s the best thing for me to take the right amount of time to recover fully.

“I’m grateful to the club for taking the view that they have and I look forward to returning in a full time basis and leading the team again.”

Leigh Broxham – who makes his 200th A-League appearance for Victory against Western Sydney on Saturday night – will wear the armband in Valeri’s absence.

Valeri had a viral upper respiratory tract infection in the week before developing his condition.

Meetings with specialists – including a neurologist and ear, nose and throat expert – failed to conclusively establish its cause.

Victory coach Kevin Muscat said he was firmly behind his skipper putting his health first.

“While we have missed his on-field presence in the last two months, we want to make sure he concentrates on getting his health right, without the pressure of returning sooner than he should,” he said.

Victory were top of the A-League table after Valeri’s last match, a 2-1 win over Adelaide in round eight.

In his absence the club has won just three of 10 games, falling to fourth place.

The reigning A-League champions will be able to sign a free agent to fill Valeri’s role in the squad under injury-replacement rules.

-AAP