Argentine playmaker Patricio Perez will be back in action tonight as his stop-start debut A-League season continues in that vein.

Perez has managed just five appearances for the Mariners so far this term but is certain to start against the North Queensland Fury at Bluetongue Stadium tonight and coach Graham Arnold is expecting big things.

"Patricio is ready," Arnold said. "He has come on as a replacement a couple of times lately but he is no use to us sitting on the bench.

"He is an outstanding player and we bought him to make a huge contribution to the club.

"It is showtime because he is the sort of player who can make a huge difference for us in the run to the finals."