Watson, 23, started seven of his ten games at Hindmarsh as an injury replacement for Fabian Barbiero and slotted into a right sided defensive role.

Like fellow Melbourne-based short-term player Joe Keenan, the pair now must come back down to earth after their spells with the ladder-leading unbeaten Reds.

Under new Dutch coach Rini Coolen it’s been a spectacular season so far and Watson was more than happy to have played his part.

“You enjoy your football a lot more when you’re winning. And when I went there I didn’t expect to play much,” he told au.fourfourtwo.com.

“Now that I’m back in Melbourne it’s a bit of a change and not the most ideal situation but I guess it’s just part of football.”

Watson has been put on a fitness and conditioning program by the Reds and there’s little doubt that the former Porto player will be back at the club if there is another injury in the first team squad.

Meanwhile, the versatile midfielder will train on his own and is likely to join Oakleigh Cannons in the VPL for the start of their pre-season in the next few weeks.

“I just got to do the best I can to keep myself in good shape and hopefully something comes along. And injuries do happen and while you don’t wish it upon anyone, if it comes along you’ve got to take that chance.”

It’s understood that players on short-term contracts can only join one A-League club per season. So Adelaide would be the only club if Watson was to return. Other than that, the January transfer window opens in ten weeks’ time.

“So until then, it’s either here or Adelaide,” he said.

Meantime, Adelaide’s exciting Young Socceroo striker Matt Leckie is likely to return to the Reds line-up on Friday night against Phoenix after arriving back in the country on Tuesday.

Leckie, part of a stellar Australian team that reached the final of the AFC U/19 Championships last Sunday, told au.fourfourtwo.com of his pride at the accomplishment of the young Aussies.

“Going to the final was a great achievement but disappointing we didn’t reach the final but the main thing is we’re through to the World Cup.

“We can now set ourselves for that. And a lot of people are saying how proud they are of us so hopefully us going to the World Cup we can make history as well.”