“Our coaching staff have done an excellent job in the off-season in bringing in back-up players,” Milicevic told au.fourfourtwo.com.

“Those who are missing are not going to be easy to replace but it's a good chance for those players to show what they can do.”

Milicevic, who is injured and is expected to be out for the rest of September, said the Reds pose a big danger.

“It'll be backs to the wall stuff, a tough match" he promised. "Adelaide are a very good side and clearly coach Aurelio Vidmar has been a good influence on the side, and particularly their talented young players.”

Archie Thompson and Leigh Broxham have both been called up for national team duty, while Joe Keenan has been omitted due to injury together with Milicevic.

Into the squad come Daniel Vasilevski, Evan Berger and former AIS star Sebastian Ryall.

A decision will be made on the final composition of the squad later today after a fitness test for Steve Pantelidis, who sustained a bad cork in the game against Perth Glory at Telstra Dome last week, said the club.

One player poised to see some game time is Evan Berger. The exciting young attacking midfielder was picked up by Victory under the noses of Sydney FC earlier this year where he'd been playing for state league team Marconi.

The game is also a return for Matt Kemp, who played for Adelaide United during their first two seasons in the A-League - and is sporting a new close-shave haircut for the trip across the border to face his old team.

“It’s my disguise,” he joked. “I’m hoping nobody recognizes me. I’ve even got a fake moustache and glass packed in my bag for the trip.

“Seriously, though, I’m really looking forward to going back and playing in Adelaide in front of my old fans. I’m not expecting them to roll out the welcome mat, but it should be great fun.”

He added: “I had a lot of success in Adelaide over a number of years but it was time for a change in my career and I was really grateful for the interest shown in me by Melbourne.

"When a big and successful club like Melbourne gives you an opportunity it’s hard to knock back.”

Skipper Kevin Muscat meanwhile is hoping an arm cast will be given the okay after he revealed this week he'd broken his arm two weeks earlier.

He'll be kept in suspense until minutes before kickoff, with the final decision on the suitability of his cast for his broken arm being left to the referee.

Coach Ernie Merrick said Kevin would be given the chance to play subject to the referee’s decision.

“He’s training well with the cast on, so we’d hope he can play," said Merrick. "He’s played with a broken arm for two weeks without a cast so we’re confident he’ll be okay.”

“Panta is touch and go, so we’ll make a decision today. We’ve flown young Evan Berger over just in case Panta isn’t right.

“Keenan and Ljubo will be out for another couple of weeks, but our goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos is fine and should start, so I expect us to go in with a pretty strong team.”