Adelaide will be sweating on scans for Marcelo Carrusca groin injury, with the classy playmaker in doubt for the Reds last two games before the Asian Cup break.
Carrusca hobbled off moments after setting up Adelaide’s crucial opening goal in their impressive 3-0 win over Sydney FC on Boxing Day.
So crucial to their hopes of going all the way this season, the Reds can’t afford to be without Carrusca for a long period of time, with the coach admitting afterwards the injury “doesn’t look well”.
“He’s a player that knows very well his body,” Gombau said of the Argentine.
“He’s a player but he’s the doctor as well…he knows exactly when something is wrong.
“Whether it’s in training or a game he come and say if he feels something. He told me he pulled his groin and it doesn’t look well.”
Adelaide meets Wellington Phoenix at home on New Year’s Eve before rounding off the hectic festive period with a trip to league-leaders Perth Glory on January 5.
With a three-week hiatus due to the Asian Cup to follow, its unlikely Gombau would take any unnecessary risks with one of his most important players.
The midweek release of Cassio means the Reds have the ability to bring in reinforcements in the January transfer window but only a unique player will see the club open the cheque-book.
“I think we have a good squad and we are happy with the players we have,” Gombau said.
“But if something appear and come on the market that’s very good we can do. We aren’t asking for a player but if someone that can be good for our project appear we will go.”
The Reds did what was required to get the result against Sydney, with second-half goals to Bruce Djite, Pablo Sanchez and Awer Mabil rounding out a comfortable win in the end.
“We did well in the first half but played a lot in our own half we spoke at half time that we have to try and have the ball and play in their half to be more close to the goal,” Gombau said.
“We did well. Sydney did a good job in terms of pressing in the first half and cut the line of pass which didn’t allow us to play but they couldn’t keep it going because this type of running in this high intensity for 90 minutes you can’t do.”
