Now, the Reds' only long-term casualties are Nigel Boogaard, who is two months away with an ankle injury, and Lloyd Owusu, whose return from a knee surgery is indefinite while Robert Cornthwaite earned his first start last week after two appearances as a substitute.

Dodd underwent groin surgery in the off-season and has yet to feature this campaign while Barbiero has recovered from an ankle injury that also restricted his pre-season.

The pair is nearing a return to the Reds line up with Dodd expected to get a run with United's youth league squad for their next match.

Coolen said he prefers to ease the star duo back in after gaining some much needed game time in the Baby Reds.

"Everybody is now close to joining the team sessions, and Fabian is already there," he said.

"Normally Fabian could have been on the bench tomorrow but I prefer to let him play tomorrow in the youth team because he needs to play more than 45 minutes, I think 60 minutes.

"He's not on the bench tomorrow because I think he needs more play time.

"It's the same for Travis. This is the first week he's available in our squad.

"He trained with us, it's the first week, he can't play tomorrow in the youth team of course but the next game, I think is in two weeks, if everything goes well he can join that team."

Reds experienced midfielder Paul Reid admitted he would welcome the competition for places in United's squad when the full complement of players is fit and firing.

"Every footballer likes competition," he said.

"It's good for the club and it's good for the players. If people are pushing for my position then it makes me work even harder in training and in games.

"I know that's the way I go about things and hopefully that's the way other players do as well.

"We've got quite a few players coming back, with the likes of Travis Dodd coming back now as well.

"We're going well, the team shouldn't get changed but these players coming back will only make our squad stronger."

Reid has enjoyed a stunning season so far after a disappointing campaign with the Reds in 2009/10 that was ruined by injury.

The 31 year-old credits a smooth and solid pre-season for staying on the park so far this campaign.

"I looked after my body in the off-season, I always do, but we had a really good pre-season and that's really helped me," he said.

"Everybody knows with a professional athlete if they get a good pre-season behind them it will put them in good stead for the season. I'm coping really well at the moment."