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Juric absent again for Reds in A-League

3 minute read

Adelaide United striker Tomi Juric will miss another A-League match when the Reds travel to play Newcastle Jets,

TOMI JURIC.
TOMI JURIC. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Adelaide United's prized signing Tomi Juric will miss another A-League match despite not having a specific injury, Reds coach Carl Veart says.

Juric, who hasn't featured since February 19 when he scored a hat-trick of penalties, will again be sidelined for United's away fixture against Newcastle on Sunday night.

Juric was initially troubled by groin soreness, then some reports suggested he was battling a calf injury.

"There's no injury," Veart told reporters on Saturday.

"It's just his body can't deal with the demands of training at the moment.

"He doesn't actually have any strains, he just has some tightness which we just can't get on top of.

"We are trying a lot of different things to try and find the solution and hopefully next week he can get back on the training paddock.

"Tomi is very professional with the way he goes about things but ... until he feels comfortable with himself, we just have to take his time with it because when he comes back on I don't want him to miss any more games."

The Reds travel to Newcastle on a four-game winning streak which has lifted them to third on the ladder.

"We have still got a long way to go," Veart said.

"We have been still a little bit inconsistent, even last week there were patches in the game where we needed to be better.

"The playing group know that. But very happy with where we sit at the moment."

The Jets, in contrast, are struggling in 11th spot with only three wins from a dozen games but Veart remained wary.

"They're a difficult side," he said.

"All teams are difficult and it has shown over the course of the season you have got to turn up and play at your best to win - and no different tomorrow night.

"It could be difficult conditions and we have to work hard and then allow our quality in the front third to come through."

STATS THAT MATTER

* Adelaide have lost just one of their past eight games against the Reds in a streak featuring five wins and two draws

* Newcastle have triumphed only once in their past five games n home turf at McDonald Jones Stadium

* The last time Adelaide won five games in a row was from March to May in 2016

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