Plagued by injury for most of the year, Agostino was in upbeat mood and just relieved to get back onto the pitch for 20 minutes during Round 12 in Gosford.

This week the United marquee striker will get the chance from the opening whistle with Olyroos call ups hastening his return.

“I feel good,” said Agostino. “You’ve got to take what you’re given and I’ve been given the chance this weekend. I’m really looking forward to the game.

“I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t been frustrated. Of course I wanted to come back and basically jump in from the word go.

“I came home with a broken foot that hadn’t quite healed yet and that took its toll. I didn’t get a pre-season under my belt and you’re always clutching at straws a little bit.”

Dez Giraldi, Kristian Sarkies and Nathan Burns have all been called up to the Olyroos squad and Brazilian left back Cassio will be missing with a slight hamstring strain.

But the Reds chances have been given a further boost with combative defensive pair Jonas Salley and Angelo Costanzo returning to the squad.

“Jonas and ‘Chocca’ (Costanzo) are some experienced players who know this league inside out,” added Agostino. “We welcome them back with open arms, they’re a very important part of the squad.”

Coach Aurelio Vidmar has been defiant in his expectations during training this week demanding that his players come away with a win.

“We really need to think about competing because that’s what we lacked in the second half (against Central Coast),” said Vidmar.

“We want everyone to be hungry, be committed. If we can get that I think we can take the points.

“If the boys are all competing for the ball it doesn’t matter where it is. Even if the ball is in the grandstand they have to compete for it and that has been the key message this week.”

Scores have never finished level between Adelaide and Newcastle during the home and away season with both teams looking to snap a two game losing streak.