CARLOS Hernandez, Melbourne Victory's sole Johnny Warren medallist, could wear enemy colours next season.

Adelaide United and Sydney FC are two of three A-League clubs ready to pounce as Victory appears prepared to cut loose Costa Rican ace Hernandez in a bid to make room in its salary cap to rebuild.

Central Coast's 18-year-old sensation Tom Rogic and Gold Coast defender Michael Thwaite are two of the top targets for Victory, which has tried and failed to sign players including Gold Coast's James Brown, who opted for Newcastle Jets.

Victory managing director Richard Wilson said all remaining contract discussions were on ice until the end of the season, but it looks increasingly likely that Hernandez's contract will be allowed to expire or he will be offered a reduced deal.

Former Victory football director Gary Cole, who signed Hernandez from Costa Rican club LD Alajuelense in 2007, is in charge of Sydney FC's recruiting strategy.

Adelaide United chairman Greg Griffin has been open about his high regard for Hernandez and he confirmed a creative midfielder was on his radar.

"Adelaide has never been shy in regards to Carlos and if the opportunity arose then we would certainly be interested in talking to him," Griffin said.

"We have not done so because he is under contract. We just don't play those games where you approach players from other clubs.

"We need someone on the right, a central defender and a creative midfielder and Carlos is very creative and talented.

"Whether we can afford him is the issue, as we've got a fine marquee (player, Sergio van Dijk) and an Australian marquee (Dario Vidosic)."

Hernandez was automatically suspended for Saturday night's game at Sydney FC after he was sent off for two bookable offences in Victory's 3-1 home loss to Newcastle Jets at the weekend.

Wilson said Hernandez's future would be decided at the end of the season.

"We're looking at all the players at the end of year, so he's a player that we'll look at," Wilson said.

Meanwhile, another player out of contract at the end of the season, Grant Brebner, has played his last game for the season.

Brebner (ankle) would have tried to play out the season had Victory been in the hunt to play in the A-League finals.

Originally published as Victory likely to lose Carlos