Adelaide United’s injured Eli Babalj could open door for Socceroo James Troisi

STRIKER Serginho van Dijk has boosted morale at Adelaide United but he has no chance of making a return to the A-League this season as an injury replacement for Eli Babalj.

Eli Babalj of United is taken from the field injured during the round 16 A-League match between Brisbane Road and Adelaide United at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, on Friday, Jan. 22, 2016. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

STRIKER Serginho van Dijk has boosted morale at Adelaide United but he has no chance of making a return to the A-League this season as an injury replacement for Eli Babalj.

That is unless the Reds off load one of the maximum allowed five imports during the current FIFA transfer window which is highly unlikely.

But Babalj’s misfortune may open a door for in demand Socceroo James Troisi.

Babalj’s salary will be covered by insurance and the Reds salary cap will be affected only if Troisi is paid above Babalj’s wage, in an injury replacement scenario.

But the timing of trying to lure Troisi is critical with the Adelaide-born attacker expected to meet a Chinese club official in China tonight. (Monday).

But Babalj is likely to be out of action for up to a year.

Scans revealed the AZ Alkmaar on loan player ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during a 4-1 win over Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Friday, while van Dijk is close to snaring an AFC Champions League contract for the Reds.

With Melbourne City’s Adelaide-born prodigy Stefan Mauk bolstering Adelaide’s stocks this week in a swap deal with Osama Malik, Friday’s two-goal hero Bruce Djite says having van Dijk back has boosted the club’s upbeat atmosphere.

“It’s awesome the first day he was here, I just spoke to him I didn’t get a chance to see him,’’ Djite said.

“I now take him home after training.

“He’s one of my best mates and he is like a mentor for me and I’m so happy to have him back.

“He’s a fantastic guy and we’re such a close knit team, he’ll fit in perfectly but I don’t know what the club wants to do with him but for me I’m just happy to have back at training.

“He’s such a good character and even when he had his problems and everything he remained the same guy.

“In our sport there’s not many like him.”

With Adelaide’s AFC Champions League sudden death clash just 16 days away van Dijk will give coach Guillermo Amor an added option should he sign for the campaign.

Adelaide will know of its international opponent by February 2 when Shandong Luneng hosts India’s Mohun Bagan or Singapore’s Tampine Rovers.

Mohun and Tampines play off on Wednesday with the winner meeting Adelaide’s sister club in Jinan.

The winner of that clash more which will probably be Shandong, faces Adelaide at Hindmarsh on February 9.

Shandong won’t be a pushover, the Chinese powerhouse has Brazilian international Diego Tardelli, 30, and former Argentine international Walter Montillo, 31.

The club is coached by former Brazil national team coach Mano Menezes.

Originally published as Adelaide United’s injured Eli Babalj could open door for Socceroo James Troisi