Adelaide United's vice captain is desperate for some match action and cannot wait for The Reds first pre-season hit out.

United travel to local Super League club Para Hills Knights with fans having the first chance to see how their team is shaping up for the new A-League season.

Pantelis told au.fourfourtwo.com: "I can't wait to get out there to be honest. There's nothing quite like having a game to build to. I'm pretty sure all the boys are keen to get out there and play.

"We've been training hard but you just want to play."

United Coach Aurelio Vidmar and Assistant Coach Phil Stubbins are expected to experiment with the line up in each half of the friendly match against Para Hills, giving them a chance to gauge on how the squad is progressing, and an opportunity to see them in a fully competitive hit out.

"It's a great opportunity for us to start getting some game time in," Stubbins said. 

"We'll just be looking at things in a very basic fashion for the first hit out and the boys should be excited about getting out there after all the hard training.

"The boys have trained hard on the track and look in good shape at the moment, and for those boys who have put the hard work in, the exciting times are playing games so they've got an opportunity against Para Hills and we're looking forward to the game."

Of The Reds' new signings, defenders Iain Fyfe and Michael Marrone are in line to play, however former Ireland based midfielder Adam Hughes will miss the match with a hip strain.

 "I think it's going to be exciting for everyone concerned to have a look at the new boys and see how they go." Stubbins added.

"Unfortunately for Hughes he won't be out there, he's a got a slight strain and we'll monitor that and hopefully get him on the field the week after."

The match will also see some of United's promising young talent on show, including the likes of Youth League players Francesco Monterosso and Joe Costa, who have been training with the senior squad.

"It's going to be exciting for Joe Costa, he'll get some game time tonight and in the second half we'll get a look at a number of other boys, one of note being Francesco Monterosso who has been training extremely well with us of late," Stubbins said.

Since United's 2009/10 squad began pre season training in mid April, Stubbins said the feeling amongst the group has been extremely positive and that the signs are encouraging leading up to season five of the A-League.

"Looking at the group, they are certainly galvanised and everyone is pushing each other along and really working hard for the cause. From the coaching staff's point of view they've been a joy to work with so far, they've really put in the effort and as it stands, we've had a dream pre season in terms of the attitude," Stubbins said.

"The boys are all together and united in their efforts. It's a good and healthy environment and a nice place to be at the moment."

The Reds' will follow the match against Para Hills with a friendly against MetroStars on Tuesday June 9.