Adelaide United will retain the services of talented right-back Daniel Mullen for Friday night's clash with Gold Coast United.

The 21-year old has not played for the Reds since October 22 when he injured his ankle against the Wellington Phoenix but will almost certainly be in Rini Coolen's matchday squad for the fixture with third-placed Gold Coast.

"I'm feeling really good at the moment. It has been a few days now where it (the ankle) has been absolutely pain free so it feels good," Mullen said.

"It really doesn't bother me (if I start or not). I just want to get back and help the team out, so we'll have to wait and see.

"It's up to the coaches, but the ankle is feeling really good which is positive."

In other positive injury news for Adelaide, centre-half Nigel Boogaard trained yesterday for the first time in a number of months after sustaining an ankle injury in the second week of the season.

"This is the first week I've joined in with the team fully with full contact, and so far so good," Boogaard said on his progress.

"I still get a bit of pain after training but I can deal with it and hopefully just move on."