Adelaide United’s depth could be put through an acid test in the coming weeks with injury and looming suspension threatening to undermine the club’s quest for the premiership.
The Reds’ loss to Melbourne Victory on Tuesday cost them more than top spot with Kristian Sarkies going down with an ankle injury. Defenders Robbie Cornthwaite and Sasa Ognenovksi also picked up their fourth yellow cards for the season which means another run-in with the referees will see them miss a game.
Reliable midfielder Diego also remains on the sidelines with a quad injury.
Jason Spagnuolo is one player who’ll be considered as a replacement for Sarkies while Ang Costanzo and Michael Valkanis are biding their time in the National Youth League and could slot into the team’s defensive line-up if called upon.
Skipper Travis Dodd said the team were not too worried by these scenarios because of a belief in their personnel.
“This season was always about the squad, it was never about 11, 12, 13 players. With the games that we’ve been playing and the commitments that we’ve had, it was always going to be a squad effort and in the last few games that’s definitely how it’ll turn out,” Dodd said.
“We need everyone on deck, everyone fit and healthy and the players like Spags (Jason Spagnuolo) who haven’t had a lot of game time – he’s working really hard off the pitch to be ready when he gets his opportunity.”
“If a player is down then they can have a rest. But I think we are at a stage of the season where everyone is itching to play and it’s a great time to be at the club.”
Despite the yellow-card count hanging over their heads, Dodd said Ognenovski and Cornthwaite would not be changing their approach to the upcoming contests.
“Sasa and Robbie are in positions where they have to make the tackles and they have to put themselves on the line,” Dodd said.
“That kind of thinking may come in more in finals when you (could) miss vital games.”
