Adelaide United captain Stefan Mauk’s move to Japan has been further pushed back

With his move to Japan now set to take place at the end of the month, Stefan Mauk has three games left to play for Adelaide United.

Adelaide United coach Carl Veart is pleased to have skipper Stefan Mauk for a few more matches. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Adelaide United skipper Stefan Mauk will get another chance to take down his former club Melbourne City, with Reds coach Carl Veart confirming the star midfielder would remain in the A-League until the end of the month.

Mauk’s move to Japanese second-tier outfit Fagiano Okayama has been mooted since early last month, but issues including visa approval have delayed the former Australian under-23 representative’s exit from the Reds.

Veart had expected Mauk’s final game in Adelaide colours to be the club’s 1-1 weekend draw with Wellington Phoenix at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.

However, the Reds coach on Monday said Mauk would play three more games for the club – starting with Tuesday night’s battle against Melbourne City at AAMI Park – before leaving for Japan following Adelaide’s clash with the Central Coast Mariners at Coopers Stadium on February 26.

“It’s been a little bit difficult on (Mauk),” Veart said.

“He keeps thinking this is going to be his last game ... but I believe now we’ve agreed to the end of the month, so we’re very fortunate that the club in Japan is allowing Stef to stay and play and keep his fitness up.”

Reds captain Stefan Mauk (right) is staying with Adelaide until the end of the month. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Veart said Mauk’s ongoing presence was a bonus as it would give more time for his replacement, Englishman Zac Clough, to settle.

“Having Stef here a little bit longer gives us a little bit more time to bed him (Clough) into the team and not have to throw him in too early,” he said.

The teams have already played a pair of thrilling 2-2 draws this season.

Mauk scored in the November 27 draw at Coopers Stadium, where the Reds trailed 2-0 before fighting back to snare a point.

Adelaide also scored a late equaliser last month through Japanese striker Hiroshi Ibusuki in a match in which City was reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Portuguese defender Nuno Reis.

“The games that we’ve had so far this season have been great games to watch,” Veart said.

“I don’t expect anything to be different. We’re both teams that play an open brand of football.

“They’re really good games to be involved as a coach because it really challenges your thought processes as a coach.”

Melbourne City coach Patrick Kisnorbo is likely to return to the dugout on Tuesday night following seven days in isolation after testing positive to Covid-19.

In Kisnorbo’s absence, City has won back-to-back matches under the guidance of assistant coach Petr Kratky.

“It was a great experience, but it’s really, really helpful when we are all on the same page,” Kratky said.

Originally published as Adelaide United captain Stefan Mauk’s move to Japan has been further pushed back