Newcastle Jets are on the verge of welcoming a host of injured players back with the likes of Johnny Koutroumbis, Jason Hoffman and Nigel Boogaard in the box seat to return this Monday against Western United.
Hoffman missed last week with a groin issue, while Koutroumbis and Boogaard have not featured since the home defeat to Adelaide in late March and will be pushing to get back in the squad.
“Johnny is probably a little bit closer than Nige. Nige is pushing himself hard, that’s definitely the hardest session he has had in the last two or three weeks,” Deans said.
Deans is happy with the progress they have made and has praised the defensive duo in their speedy recovery.
“You’re always a little bit conservative, when you map out a timeline for a rehab, especially the injuries they had,” Deans said.
“They’ve got a great attitude to their rehab and their professionalism away from the field, so they are probably a week or two ahead of schedule.”
After a great substitute performance, topped with a fantastic equaliser against Macarthur on Sunday evening, Steve Ugarkovic has staked his claim for a spot in Deans’ starting eleven.
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“He’s definitely put his hand up and we will find a way to get him in the team somehow,” Deans said.
“You have to reward people’s performance and he got his opportunity at half time and he came on and played well, and obviously scored a nice goal.”
In a blow for the Jets, Ramy Najjarine is out with an ankle complaint.
Monday, 26 April 2021 – Western United FC v Newcastle Jets – AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-Off: 7:05pm (Local)(7:05pm (AEST))
Referee: Kurt Ams Assistant Referee 1: George Lakrindis Assistant Referee 2: Daniel Ilievski Fourth Official: Lachlan Keevers VAR: Kris Griffiths-Jones
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 7:00pm (AEST), Sky Sport 7 (New Zealand), Kayo Sports (www.kayosports.com.au) and MyFootball Live App, Live Fast and Data Free for Telstra mobile customers
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #WUNvNEW
To purchase tickets visit www.a-league.com.au/tickets
Western United FC squad: 1.Filip KURTO (gk), 2.Aaron CALVER, 4 Andrew DURANTE, 5.Dylan PIERIAS, 6.Tomoki IMAI, 7.Besart BERISHA, 8. Lachlan WALES, 9. Kaine SHEPPARTD, 10. Steven LUSTICA, 11.Connor PAIN, 12. Dalibor MARKOVIC, 13 Ivan VUJICA, 17. Brad INMAN, 19. Joshua RISDON, 20.Víctor SÁNCHEZ, 21. Sebastian PASQUALI, 23.Alessandro DIAMANTI (c), 25.Luke DUZEL, 30.Ryan SCOTT (gk), 34.Iker GUARROTXENA
**2-4 to be omitted**
Ins: 9. Kaine SHEPPARD (promoted), 10. Steven LUSTICA (promoted),12. Dalibor MARKOVIC (promoted), 17. Brad INMAN (promoted)
Outs: 3. Brendan HAMILL (suspended), 22. Tomislav USKOK (suspended)
Unavailable: Nil
Newcastle Jets squad: 1.Lewis ITALIANO (gk), 2.Johnny KOURTROUMBIS, 3.Jason HOFFMAN, 4.Nigel BOOGAARD, 6.Steven UGARKOVIC, 8.Liridon KRASNIQI, 9.Roy O’DONOVAN, 14.Ali ABBAS, 16.Matt MILLAR, 17.Valentino YUEL, 19.Kosta PETRATOS, 21.Luka PRŠO, 22.Lachlan JACKSON, 23.Jack DUNCAN (gk), 24.Connor O’TOOLE, 27.Lucas MAURAGIS, 32.Angus THURGATE, 33.Apostolos STAMATELOPOULOS, 44.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY (c), 51.Jordan LENNON.
**2-4 to be omitted**
Ins: 51.Jordan LENNON (promoted), 27.Lucas MAURAGIS (promoted), 2.Johnny KOURTROUMBIS (returns from MCL injury), 4.Nigel BOOGAARD (Returns from leg injury), 3.Jason HOFFMAN (returns from groin injury)
Outs: 11.Ramy NAJJARINE (Ankle – 1 week), 20.Syahrian ABIMANYU (Hamstring 1-2 weeks)
Unavailable: 5.Ben KANTAROVKSI (calf – season, 15.Tete YENGI (Foot – 3-4 weeks)
