New Reds recruit Steven Lustica to walk in Dario's shoes New Adelaide United signing Steven Lustica, right, in action for Brisbane Roar against the Reds' Fabio Ferreira. JOSEP Gombau believes new Adelaide United signing Steven Lustica will give balance to the Reds 'No. 8' positions after Dario Vidosic was sold to Sion last month. Lustica, 22, was given an early release from his 2015 expiry date contract with Croatian first division club Hajduk Split before yesterday agreeing to a Reds one-year deal. Gombau says Lustica is looming to be the suitable partner for Marcelo Carrusca in the Spaniard's 4-3-3 system where two playmakers will sit in front of the Reds holder Isaias Sanchez. "We had just offensive midfielders Jake Barker-Daish and Carrusca," Gombau said. I wanted four and finally we've got three with Lustica but to replace Dario is very difficult. Lustica played for a good recognised team in Europe and he's a player that I liked when I saw him. Former Melbourne Heart skipper Matt Thompson will be given an opportunity to fill the fourth advanced midfield vacancy after training with the Reds for the first time yesterday. Gombau will give Thompson 10 days before making a decision. Gombau has one more squad position to fill given Teeboy Kamara (ill) has been placed on the long term injured list. But Lustica won't arrive in Adelaide in time for the Reds friendly clash against Central Coast Mariners at Coopers Stadium from 3.30pm on Thursday. With the game open to Reds members Gombau said he would relish the opportunity to face A-League opposition and the reigning grand final winner for his first time since starting the gig. "For me it's important to be ready on October 13 (v Perth Glory at home) that's when we start the league," Gombau said. I want to give all my players a chance to play against an A-League team. But Gombau won't have the luxury of having a full contingent to face the Mariners. Marcelo Carrusca (calf), Bruce Djite (ankle), Cassio (hip), Fabio Ferreira (ankle) and Jeronimo Neumann (flu) are all expected to miss the clash. Djite and Cassio appear to be Gombau's biggest concerns. Djite is expected to be laid up for five weeks while Cassio is still recovering from a ruptured hip tendon injury incurred in July. Lustica is 2011 Foxtel national youth league player of the year. He made his A-League debut with Gold Coast United before signing for Hajduk that year. Lustica signed a loan deal with Brisbane Roar in January before returning to Hajduk in June. The club's new boss former Croatian international and Juventus defender Igor Tudor played Lustica just once in the opening eight rounds of the league competition this season. Meanwhile Evan Kostopoulos who was released by Adelaide at the end of the last season trained with the Reds on Tuesday. It's understood Kostopoulos has penned a deal with a Malaysian club.