Former Parma defender Diego Pellegrini is Marcos Flores' secret weapon, the Argentine playmaker has revealed.

The 39-year old former player, who was a part of Parma's 1994/95 UEFA Cup triumph, is currently the remedial massage therapist at Adelaide United and has helped Flores overcome a hamstring strain which was supposed to have him sidelined for a few weeks but in fact has him in contention for Friday's clash with Wellington Phoenix.

"I'm really happy about my injury," Flores told the Adelaide Advertiser. "Diego has helped me a lot.

"For me, Diego is really important for every player in Adelaide United.

"When he has his days off he comes to my apartment, he gives me treatment and comes to meet me at the beach. We started walking and then running. He was controlling my comeback.

"Nine days after my injury I was running at 80 per cent," Flores added. "This is brilliant.

"Some newspapers talked about me being off for seven weeks and now with Diego, he has helped protect my hammies and he told me, 'Marcos, if you need something you tell me'.

"We can stop treatment and we can also improve. Diego is really excited, he can't believe the progress.

"He told me, 'Marcos, the injury will be much better for the next game at Hindmarsh'."