VESELKO PAPONJA, the tough-as-teak defender who patrols the Warriors' back-line like an efficient policeman, will be back on duty for the Tiger Beer Singapore Cup soccer final against Tanjong Pagar at the National Stadium on Saturday.

The tall and burly 33-year-old defender missed last Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Tanjong Pagar at Queenstown Stadium because of a sore thigh.

And the result -- Singapore Armed Forces FC suffered its worst defeat this season, crumbling 1-5.

Two of the goals came from headers by Tanjong Pagar's lanky Nicodeme Boucher, who had a clear look at goal because there was no one tall enough to obstruct his view.

Paponja's return is not only certain to add calm and authority at the Warriors' rear but also make things difficult for the Jaguars.

At the other camp, Tanjong Pagar is also feeling good following the return of its top striker Steven Tan.

The confident, cocksure Tan, around whom there is always a buzz whenever the ball comes near him, was on the sidelines last week because of a niggling fever.

He returned to training on Tuesday and was confident he would be fit in time for the big match.

Tan, who has amassed 16 goals from both the Tiger Beer S-League and Singapore Cup tournaments, is four behind the Tiger Beer Top Scorer leader.

This Saturday is his final shot at the award. Goals from the FA Cup do not count.

Said Tan: "No, I won't be thinking of the Top Scorer Award at all as I believe it's too late for me to catch up.

"You have to be realistic. I'm four goals behind. Perhaps next season.

"What is important is to work for the team's victory.

"But I have no regrets because my target this season was to be the No. 1 goal-scorer among the locals -- and, this, I have already achieved."

He banged in eight goals for both the 1996 and 1997 seasons.

Tampines' Bogdan Brasoveanu, the leading scorer with 20 goals, must surely be biting his fingernails and following the proceedings closely this Saturday.