ADELAIDE boss Marco Kurz is about to realise the salary cap has flaws in a club’s ability to keep its best young players, as Brisbane Roar circles for United’s Jordan O’Doherty.

The 20-year-old is, according to sources, at the top of Roar boss John Aloisi’s list of recruits before both clubs meet at Suncorp on Saturday night.

“It's important to have a look for the next season but the concentration is for the next six games,’’ Kurz said.

It’s understood Roar contemplated making a play for O’Doherty during FIFA’s January transfer window but could not fit the exciting midfielder inside the salary cap.

Roar is destined to make contact with the midfielder’s management team.

O’Doherty has been a Reds standout since round 14.

A Roar official says the club is constantly working on recruitment but wouldn’t discuss the O’Doherty prospect.

“With Pedj Radinovic (Roar’s new football director) starting next week, further planning will happen for the season ahead in terms of the squad make up for the 2018-19 season,” said a Roar official.

O’Doherty is off contract at the end of the season.

Kurz does not expect to be suspended for the Roar clash.

He is also hoping defender Ersan Gulum gets the all clear to return from suspension to face Roar after the pair was cited by Football Federation Australia following the controversial 2-2 draw with Central Coast at home in round 20.

The German, however, claimed what Melbourne Victory defender Rhys Williams told Melbourne media this week – that he made a meal out of the contact from Reds striker Dzengis Cavusevic when the Slovenian was expelled in a 3-0 loss away last Saturday – is a good thing. But he doesn’t condone that type of behaviour.

Cavusevic must serve a one-match ban and will miss the clash against Roar with Kurz saying the difference between Australian and German referees is quality.

“I tell my players to run as long as they can and if it’s a clear tackle you must fall,’’ Kurz said.

“No diving, no simulation, it’s not good, I don’t like this and my players know this.”

He also doubted the German football federation would appoint a 25-year-old rookie referee for a big clash after referee Alex King, 25 was the centre of attention in United’s loss last Saturday.

“The players need clear rules on the pitch and maybe an experienced referee, he shows from the first minute that’s the rules and between this frame you can work,” Kurz said.