Finkler and Galloway picked up groin and quadriceps problems respectively in the 3-2 win at home to Adelaide United on Friday.
Neither will travel for the Round 9 fixture, which will go ahead at the former home of Northern Spirit despite staunch protests from Victory.
"Under the circumstances and where we have to play, there was no point trying to get them up for this week," Muscat said.
"It's too much of a risk to their body. Taking them to play on a cricket pitch is probably not the best idea."
Football Federation Australia have insisted North Sydney Oval, where the Mariners played Wellington Phoenix last season, will be fit to host A-League football this weekend, but Muscat is unimpressed by the governing body's position.
"We had the same assurances at Adelaide Oval and the same assurances at Newcastle," he said.
"If the players have lost a bit of confidence, I don't blame them.
"The definition of safety is that you're able to do everything in your powers as a player, run around as quick as you want and not have a fear of being injured. Turn at high speed. The players don't think they can do that.
"Basically they'll run around with the handbrake on.
"The time has come now, if the regulations state the pitch is suitable for football and it obviously does, well, the regulations need to be seriously looked at. People turning up there tomorrow night and watching at home deserve the opportunity to see a better spectacle."
Asked if he had spoken to Mariners boss Phil Moss about his safety concerns, Muscat said: "They're in a difficult position because they're bound by their employers. But going forward, it's not only our players who have these concerns, I'll say that. It's not only our players."
And the fact it is Victory's status as a commercial drawcard that has seen them forced to play on some questionable surfaces does little appease their coach.
"I don't understand why it's been us three times. Move a game to Adelaide Oval, bring Victory into town. Newcastle's first game (at home), bring Victory into town. I don't think it's fair."
"If you're a victim of your own success in that regard, I'd argue that the spectacle tomorrow night hasn't got a chance of lighting fire, so what's the point?"
Neither will travel for the Round 9 fixture, which will go ahead at the former home of Northern Spirit despite staunch protests from Victory.
"Under the circumstances and where we have to play, there was no point trying to get them up for this week," Muscat said.
"It's too much of a risk to their body. Taking them to play on a cricket pitch is probably not the best idea."
Football Federation Australia have insisted North Sydney Oval, where the Mariners played Wellington Phoenix last season, will be fit to host A-League football this weekend, but Muscat is unimpressed by the governing body's position.
"We had the same assurances at Adelaide Oval and the same assurances at Newcastle," he said.
"If the players have lost a bit of confidence, I don't blame them.
"The definition of safety is that you're able to do everything in your powers as a player, run around as quick as you want and not have a fear of being injured. Turn at high speed. The players don't think they can do that.
"Basically they'll run around with the handbrake on.
"The time has come now, if the regulations state the pitch is suitable for football and it obviously does, well, the regulations need to be seriously looked at. People turning up there tomorrow night and watching at home deserve the opportunity to see a better spectacle."
Asked if he had spoken to Mariners boss Phil Moss about his safety concerns, Muscat said: "They're in a difficult position because they're bound by their employers. But going forward, it's not only our players who have these concerns, I'll say that. It's not only our players."
And the fact it is Victory's status as a commercial drawcard that has seen them forced to play on some questionable surfaces does little appease their coach.
"I don't understand why it's been us three times. Move a game to Adelaide Oval, bring Victory into town. Newcastle's first game (at home), bring Victory into town. I don't think it's fair."
"If you're a victim of your own success in that regard, I'd argue that the spectacle tomorrow night hasn't got a chance of lighting fire, so what's the point?"