The 32 year old striker pulled up sore after Tuesday’s training session at Hindmarsh Stadium and scans the next day revealed that Agostino had torn a tendon in his quad requiring four weeks to heal.

This latest setback is demoralising for Agostino, who had been in form in the A-League with four goals in the past three games.

Adelaide United Coach Aurelio Vidmar knows Agostino’s loss is a blow for his side as it tries to secure a finals berth and he feels a high level of sympathy for his key marksman who has had to recover from a number of injury setbacks since arriving in Adelaide.

“It’s devastating for him and another challenge for the club. It’s unfortunate because he’s started to hit some really good form in the last month,” Vidmar said.

“There’s not much you can do, it’s just a shocking setback but we just have to keep moving forward, keep our heads up and try to secure wins in the last four games.”

Agostino has managed 10 appearances (with seven starts and four goals) this season, the striker’s recent flurry of goals catching the eye of new national Coach Pim Verbeek, who was at Hindmarsh Stadium to watch United take on the Central Coast Mariners last Friday night.

Agostino’s injury compounds United further with fellow forward Nathan Burns also sidelined for up to the next month with a hamstring injury, The Reds’ depth once again to be fully tested.

Vidmar will now have to rely on the likes of Bruce Djite and Dez Giraldi to lead The Reds’ line, starting against Sydney FC on December 28 at the Adelaide Oval in what is shaping as the blockbuster of the season.