Retiring marquee player Paul Agostino believes he’s ready to make a comeback with Adelaide United’s senior side.
The injury-prone striker has put in two solid performances in the National Youth League and is keen to contribute in his remaining matches with the club.
“I’ve been pretty happy with myself. I got through 90 minutes (against Sydney FC) and I played an hour the other night so if I’m needed I’m there for the boys,” Agostino said.
“I feel pretty good … I’m available for selection. Viddie (Aurelio Vidmar) said I’m in with a chance for the game on Wednesday night so let’s see what happens.”
Adelaide is full of confidence after beating Newcastle on Friday but a knee injury to Daniel Mullen means someone else in the squad gets another opportunity.
Agostino said the National Youth League experience had been an important one as he waits in the wings for one last crack at senior football.
“Viddie has asked me to stay match fit and that’s why it’s great to have the youth set up. So I’ve been playing regularly with the boys just because you never know when you’ll get a suspension or an injury or their might be a goal drought and he might need me to do something,” he said.
“Game to game he’s informed me what my chances are and how the team is going, so we touch base every time.”
The 33-year-old said he was committed to playing for the youth league side, regardless of the chances he got in the Hyundai A-League.
“That’s self explanatory to me, that’s part of being professional. If you don’t take that seriously then you shouldn’t show up,” he said.
“They play good football as well, it’s not just a little kick about, it’s about getting yourself really conditioned and having a good hit-out.”
Agostino said he was eager to ‘finish on a good note’ and that meant helping the Reds finish the season as premiers.
“I think we are in a great position to finish top and possibly make the final. We don’t really want to let that go, we’ve got a chance here and we’ve got to take it with both hands. We’ve worked so hard – it would be a shame to let it slip,” he said.
“I think it’s important we focus about what we are doing, go about our business in the right manner and we should be fine.”
