Three injury setbacks have meant supporters have enjoyed only brief glimpses of the marquee man captured from German Bundesliga club 1860 Munich.

The former Socceroo, who scored four goals in seven A-League starts last season, told the Adelaide Advertiser: “It is probably the most annoying run of injuries I have had. I arrived with a broken foot, tore a calf muscle, then tore a tendon in my thigh.

“Those three injuries smashed my season. If I can get games in I know I will get my goals."

He hopes to make the bench for the must-win clash against the bottom-ranked Vietnamese side Binh Duong tomorrow, then spearhead United’s decisive Asian Champions League appointment with Changchun Yatai next month.

“I want to finish off the group phase with a bang and be firing on all cylinders against Changchun Yatai in China,” said Agostino, knowing victory against the Chinese power would almost certainly seal a quarter-final journey. “That could be the defining game.”

Agostino has Champions League and UEFA Cup experience from his decade of top-flight football with 1860 Munich. The 20-game Socceroo said the Reds had already been following a perfect playbook in Asia.

“The club has matured a lot since its first hit-out in the ACL last year,” noted Agostino of the unbeaten Group E leader.

“We have learnt a lot and played very cunning football. We don’t play dirty, or risky, just grind out results.

“I don't want to come back and not be 100 per cent as I know I am not going to be able to help the boys that way.

“I am just being patient and know I still have a lot to give to the team and even more importantly in the A-League next season.”