The Reds host Newcastle Jets at Marden Sports Complex in the FFA Cup Round of 32 on Wednesday night.

Adelaide’s pre-season has been challenging with a dozen players departing, while the club had only signed goalkeeper Paul Izzo until an influx of four players in the past fortnight, including imports Ersan Gulum and Johan Absalonsen.

United also had visa issues with Senegalese striker Baba Diawara and a number of Olyroos players away on international duty, leaving the squad with just eight players to start pre-season.

“We’ve trained six weeks but I think our pre-season it’s very difficult for us,” Kurz said.

“We are actually in the beginning of pre-season. We started with eight players and the squad is not ready but we are looking forward.

“Step by step the players have joined the team, new players like Johan and Ersan.

“I’m happy that we can start tomorrow with an official game. Newcastle is a very strong and very experienced team.”

The German boss revealed that United would be without new signings Gulum and Vince Lia, who both weren’t ready physically.

“We have tomorrow a very young team on the pitch,” Kurz said. “We will see.”

The club’s first competitive match might be coming at an awkward time, but Kurz remained focused on winning and was making no excuses.

“I think we want to reach the next round of the cup,” he said. “That’s our first objective.

“Then we will see what can happen in the next round.

“When you win it’s good for the team and good for the coach.”