Van Dijk could return for Reds after Djite injury

Bruce Djite’s groin injury in the opening minutes of Adelaide United’s clash with the Glory is set to test the much-lauded depth of the Reds. 

Djite, 25, was forced off in the second minute with a groin strain, leaving coach John Kosmina with no choice but to open the door for a possible return for target-man van Sergio van Dijk.

Van Dijk has featured in just three United games this season and Kosmina said Djite’s injury could be the forward’s ticket back to first-team football as long as he stays in town.

“Yeah it does open the door (for his return),” Kosmina said.

“That’s if Serg doesn't go to Indonesia.

“He's playing in the youth team again on Sunday just to keep him up to speed, and all things being equal he'd be in the squad next week,” he said.

The Reds have been hit with injuries in recent weeks with Djite now joining Marcelo Carrusca, Fabio Ferreira and Nigel Boogaard on the sidelines.

Despite the growing injury concerns there was still no room for the likes of Jon McKain or Zenon Caravella who was dropped after one week in the senior side.

Kosmina dismissed concerns, saying every player has a role to play in his squad.

“There's room for everybody,” he said.

“It’s not about individuals this is about Adelaide United, that's what it comes down to.

“Zenon did a job last week, Barbs (Barbiero) did a job this week,” he said.

Despite the loss Perth Coach Ian Ferguson praised his side’s resilience as they continued to threaten right until the final whistle.

“We made silly mistakes and got punished,” Ferguson said.

“I think they were in the penalty box four times & they scored two goals in the first half.

“On the plus side I'm really pleased in the manner they came back and showed good character.

If there was ever a game that shows you never to give up... that was probably one of those games,” he said.

Kosmina felt the Glory’s first goal galvanised the opposition but felt it was a soft penalty as Smeltz went down under pressure from Antony Golec.

“They put us under some pressure and we absorbed it which is a good thing,” Kosmina said.

“We got three points against a really difficult side to play against at home,” he said.