Canberra United looking to consolidate top-four position with full-strength squad

American import Katie Stengel looks set to return as centre-forward when United clash with the winless Adelaide United in South Australia on Sunday.

The 27-year-old striker has missed two matches due to an ankle injury, including last week's draw with Perth Glory.

A Kim Carroll header spoiled United's hopes of taking home the three points, with Heather Garriock's side left to rue numerous missed chances in front of goal.

Striker Simone Charley, who scored United's only goal on Friday, admits it was disheartening to have the win slip away but says there's no time to dwell on their mistakes.

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"It's about not tripping on what's behind you and making sure we're not trying to go forward by looking in our rear-view mirror," Charley said.

"It's building from the game, learning from our mistakes and looking forward.

"Scoring is something we have to work on. It's just working on our attack and that chemistry in the front three, making sure it's all coming together.

"As long as we're being ourselves and being Canberra United, we'll be just fine."

Stengel traveled as part of Garriock's 16-strong squad to Perth but was omitted from the playing group due to injury.

United returned to training on Monday, with co-captain Karly Roestbakken confident Stengel will be fit to return for their crucial clash with Adelaide.

"We've got such a good front line and she just adds another force to it," Roestbakken said.

"We definitely missed her in the nine role, she's very technical on the ball and things like that. She's a huge player and was a huge loss on the weekend so hopefully she'll be right to play on Sunday."

United sit fourth on the ladder heading into round six with two wins, two losses and a draw.

The nature of the 14-round competition means even one result could prove vital come the business end of the season.

Roestbakken says they can't be complacent against the dungeon-dwellers as they look to lay the foundations for a return to the finals.

"This is a really important and big three points for us," Roestbakken said.

"It was unfortunate we didn't get it against Perth, we really needed the points there, but I think Adelaide are going to come out firing because they haven't won a game yet.

"They put on a good performance against the Brisbane Roar [last week], so they're going to come out all guns blazing. I think we really need to go into this game with an open mind because we need to take out the three points.

"I think our confidence is still there, we just have to go out, play our game and try to win.

"It will show our character when we bounce back from last week's draw and put together a good performance."

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Round six: Adelaide United v Canberra United in Adelaide, Sunday 4pm AEDT