"We were excited when we knew that one of our trial games was against Melbourne Victory because they are always special games, but then knowing that they have also signed a player like Harry Kewell, it makes it even better for everyone,” Reds coach Rini Coolen said.

But with all of the excitement around Kewell, Coolen is confident any distractions created by the arrival of the former Leeds and Liverpool star will not affect the Reds’ match focus.

“We prefer to work on our shape, it doesn’t matter who our opponent is," said Coolen.

"We have to be careful with all of the trial games we play because they are tough games, which is what you want when you are preparing for a tough competition.”

Reds midfielder Dario Vidosic echoed Coolen’s sentiments. He has missed both of United’s previous two trial games due to a hamstring injury but is set to start on the bench against Victory.

He has been in Socceroos squads with Kewell in the past and says while there will be added motivation to score a positive result against a side with a player of Kewell’s stature in it, the Reds’ focus will be on the areas they want to work on.

“He (Kewell) is a phenomenal player. I think everyone knows what he’s capable of and it won’t be any surprise that a lot of people will want to come to see him,” Vidosic said. “But we definitely want to win

"It would make it even more special because it’s one thing to beat Melbourne Victory who are a great club and have proved it over the six seasons so far, but it’s another thing to beat Melbourne Victory with Harry Kewell in the team.

“We don’t care who is on the other side, it could be Barcelona coming tomorrow but it wouldn’t bother us. We want to play football, play our best and achieve things this season.

"We’ve set our goals very high regardless of whether it’s Brett Emerton or Harry Kewell coming – we’ve set our goals and we want to achieve them.”

The Reds are expected to welcome back a host of players from side that defeated Brisbane Roar last weekend with Vidosic, captain Jon McKain, fellow defender Daniel Mullen, Dutch winger Andy Slory and new signing Ricardo Da Silva all included in the squad.

Evgeniy Levchenko has overcome a minor groin problem suffered against Roar and is likely take his place in the side. Young goalkeeper Mark Birighitti will miss out because of an adductor strain.

Coolen has also opted not to risk striker Bruce Djite, who has minor hamstring tightness.

Coolen added: “He trained the last couple of days but he hasn’t been 100 per cent fit.

"I’ve made the decision that he will not play as it’s too much risk and we won’t take that risk, but he will be fine in a couple of days.”