Adelaide United pair to face high-flying Phoenix

Adelaide United’s backline will be boosted by the return of Cassio and Evgeniy Levchenko when they face the Wellington Phoenix Friday night at Hindmarsh Stadium.

The news couldn’t have come at a better time for the depleted Reds with Mark Birighitti, Antony Golec and Daniel Mullen missing the clash after their call-up to the Olyroos.

Coach John Kosmina said both Levchenko and Cassio should be well prepared after a specified fitness regime was devised for the pair.

“They’ve looked good on the track and I think that keeping them out for a little bit longer, not trying to rush either of them back and letting them do a mini-preseason has helped them,” Kosmina said.

Cassio said he was nervous after three months out of the game but believes his experience will hold him in good stead.

“I feel you use your brain a lot more than your fitness when you go over 30,” Cassio said.

The left-back felt United played good football against the Glory but need to be more clinical if they hope to beat the high-flying Phoenix.

“Perth had four or five chances and they scored three,” he said.

“We had about 10 shots and didn’t score so that’s what we have to work on.”

With just eight matches remaining Kosmina said he’s still aiming for finals football but said his charges have their destiny in their own hands.

“We need to win against Wellington, then we need to look at can we pick up three points next week and then three points the week after that,” Kosmina said.

“You don’t want [other teams] doing us a favour, we’ve got to do ourselves a favour.”

The Reds are just four points off sixth spot but still have to contend with a goal difference of minus 13 as they begin a late push for finals football.