Agostino and Sarkies’ imminent return is encouraging news for the Reds heading into the second half of the AFC Champions League 2008. Both players have been training with the main group for the past fortnight and could see some game time against Victory.

Agostino has not played a competitive match since United’s round 17 A-League match against Central Coast Mariners on 14 December 2007 due to a quad injury, the lengthy recovery period has been an extremely frustrating time for the former 1860 Munich striker.

If Agostino were to return for the remainder of the AFC Champions League Group Stage, it would be a significant bonus for United, the club having already lost Bruce Djite for the next three matches in the competition with a hamstring injury.

Sarkies was diagnosed with Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) in his arm at the end of last year, the former Melbourne Victory midfielder needing blood thinning tablets to aid in his recovery. A member of the Qantas Under 23s squad that qualified for the 2008 Olympics, Sarkies is eager to get back to what he does best, playing football.

Interestingly, since signing with Adelaide United at the start of the 2007/08 season, tomorrow’s trial match could be the first time Sarkies faces his former club.

Adelaide United will face Melbourne Victory in the teams’ fourth and final trial during the AFC Champions League Group Stage at Olympic Park tomorrow afternoon before the Reds face Vietnamese champions Becamex Binh Duong in Match Day 4 of the competition at Hindmarsh Stadium on Wednesday April 23.

The first three trial matches so far have seen Victory win one, with the other two matches ending in draws.

Trial Match Details
Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United
When: Tuesday 15 April, 2008
Where: Olympic Park, Melbourne
Kick-Off: 2.30pm ACST

The trial match at Olympic Park is closed to the public.