Speaking to The Herald Sun, Kosmina said, "He's the only striker in the squad (who's available). He's a good kid, good player and I've got a lot of time for him.
"He'll get time off this week from (mid-year exams) so it's not a bad week."
Sydney's rivalry with Melbourne is the most fiercely contested in the A-League and it will be interesting to see how the former Manly United player handles so much pressure.
Payne has already become the youngest Sydney player to score in a full competitive match when he netted in the 2-1 Pre-Season Cup victory of Queensland and that experience should hold him in good stead when the real stuff begins this weekend.
