Cassio could be cut by Adelaide United after Josep Gombau branded his Brazilian striker “disrespectful” and refused to pick him for Friday’s A-League clash with Newcastle.
Despite having several players injured and just a three-day turnaround to the game at Hunter Stadium, Gombau said Cassio would not be selected against the Jets on principle.
Gombau said he was angered after Cassio was a noticeable absentee from the Adelaide dressing room before and after the side’s FFA Cup win over Perth on Tuesday.
“Cassio has something that I don’t like and that is he didn’t come before the game to say to the players `good luck’ and after the game he didn’t come to celebrate with the players,” he said.
“For me this is disrespectful. No chance.”
Eyebrows were raised when Cassio was not presented with a squad medal after Adelaide’s FFA Cup triumph.
Asked if Cassio could be released by the Jets during the January transfer window, Gombau said that was a decision up to Adelaide management but did not rule it out.
Cassio has been on the Adelaide long-term injury list with a hamstring ailment.
He was named in the United matchday squad against Western Sydney a fortnight ago but did not return to the pitch.
Gombau said several Adelaide players had bumps and bruises following their FFA Cup triumph and they would travel with an extended squad to Newcastle.
He did confirm Craig Goodwin would play against his former club for the first time.
The 23-year-old was forced to sit out Adelaide’s FFA Cup campaign after making the switch from Newcastle to United in September.
He played in the Jets’ FFA Cup round-of-32 game before departing for South Australia, making him ineligible for Adelaide’s run to the trophy.
However, he has excelled for Adelaide during this year’s A-League despite being shifted from his usual position of winger to left-back.
Newcastle striker Joel Griffiths said the struggling Jets were wary of Adelaide, who he described as the best team in the competition, and said he held no grudges against his former teammate.
“They’ve got some players that are playing out of their skins this year, Craig Goodwin is one of them, which is good because he’s a good guy,” Griffiths said.
“We’re up against it again. I honestly believe we can beat any team on any given day, I really do.
“But it just feels like some teams have that little X-factor.”
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