He's only been with Sydney FC for two days, but already Jonas Salley has made his presence felt at the A-League champions.

"He's aggressive, he wants to win and in the short space of time he's been with us he's got rid of a few people (at training) and won the ball a few times," Blues coach Terry Butcher said of his new recruit, a former New Zealand Knight who just a month ago was a key figure in the bottom club's shock 1-0 upset of Sydney.

"I think people have just stood back and thought 'my goodness he is a presence', and that's what we want.

"He brings a bit of steel to the team, a bit of mongrel, a bit of devastation in midfield.

"The way he played against us, I have nothing but respect for the guy ... in that match at Aussie Stadium (against Sydney last month) he really caught my eye."

Salley had his short-term contract with the Blues ratified by Football Federation Australia on Thursday, less than two weeks after his deal with the Knights was terminated.

The Ivory Coast midfielder, who played 10 games for the Knights this season, may yet start for Sydney in the second leg of the elimination semi-final against Newcastle on Friday night with defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley struggling with a foot injury.

Salley comes into Sydney's squad as a like-for-like replacement for injured holding midfielder Terry McFlynn.

"The boys have been very good, I'm really enjoying it to be here," Salley said of his two training runs with Sydney.

"It's only been a couple of days but it's like I've been here before.

"Everyone here, they want to win, which for me is very good.

"I'm a bit surprised (to be now playing with Sydney)... but I've got a short term contract and I am looking forward to doing my best for Sydney FC tomorrow.

"After my short term contract (is up) we'll see what happens."

While Salley's signing for the finals has raised a few eyebrows given he was with another A-League club all season, it is unlikely such an event would happen again.

Salley, like the rest of the Knights squad, had his contract terminated after the club's final game in round 21 - a direct result of Football Federation Australia recalling New Zealand's license mid-season.

For all other clubs not featuring in the finals, players remain on contract until June - unless both parties agree to mutually terminate their agreement - making it significantly harder for a club to sign a finals replacement.

Meanwhile, defender Topor-Stanley, who didn't train on Thursday after picking up the injury while in camp with the Olyroos this week, will need to pass a fitness test tomorrow to play.

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