Coach Craig Deans welcomes Nigel Boogaard (injury), Connor O’Toole (injury), Ramy Najjarine (injury) and Roy O’Donovan (suspension) back into the squad for Saturday’s match against Sydney FC.
He has also named new recruit Jordan O’Doherty in the squad following his first training run with the team on Friday.
While Boogaard has been named in the team for the past two matches, coach Deans revealed the skipper is now fit enough to make his return to the pitch.
“We are pretty thin on experience and its important when they are fit and available and deserve to play, and Nige probably would of wanted to play down in Melbourne if he had his own way but he needs to train and he needs to train at the right level and to his credit he has done that this week,” Deans said.
“He deserves the opportunity to come back in and we know we need his leadership, we definitely look a different team when he is not in there, so he’s important for us but we’re not just going to win a game because Nige is back.
“It’s about everyone around Nigel doing their job as well, but obviously he’s good for keeping people accountable but for us it’s a team game obviously, and you want your strongest team on the park as often as possible.”
Deans admits he’s toying with the idea of starting O’Doherty this weekend.
“I’d definitely consider it, he isn’t like for like but he’s got similar skillset to Stevie in his ball playing ability,” Deans said.
“He’s probably a little bit more attack minded so it’s the risk of putting in someone more attack minded then defensive minded, so that’s something we’ll weigh up as a coaching staff, whether we take that risk.
“You have to take risks in life you want to get something out of it so I think there’s a good chance I might give him a chance.”
Saturday, 8 May 2021 – Newcastle Jets v Sydney FC at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle – Kick-Off: 5:05pm (Local)(5:05pm (AEST))
Referee: Alex King Assistant Referee 1: Ryan Gallagher Assistant Referee 2: James Cleal Fourth Official: Ben Abraham VAR: Stephen Lucas
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268485001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6253011975001
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 4:30pm (AEST), ABC TV from 5:00pm (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 #NEWvSYD
To purchase tickets visit www.a-league.com.au/tickets
Newcastle Jets squad: 1.Lewis ITALIANO (gk), 2.Johnny KOURTROUMBIS, 3.Jason HOFFMAN, 4.Nigel BOOGAARD, 7 Jordan O’DOHERTY, 8. Liridon KRASNIQI, 9.Roy O’DONOVAN, 11.Ramy NAJJARINE, 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)
**2-4 to be omitted**
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268485001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6252787756001
Ins: 11.Ramy NAJJARINE (returns from ankle injury), 24.Connor O’TOOLE (returns from hip injury), 9.Roy O’DONOVAN (returns from suspension), 7 Jordan O’DOHERTY (new signing)
Outs: 20. Syahrian ABIMANYU (international duty)
Unavailable: 5.Ben KANTAROVKSI (calf – season), 15.Tete YENGI (Foot – 3-4 weeks)
Sydney FC squad: 1.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 3.Ben WARLAND, 4.Alex WILKINSON (c), 5.Alex BAUMJOHANN, 6.Ryan McGOWAN, 8.Paulo RETRE, 9.BOBÔ, 10.Milos NINKOVIC, 11.Kosta BARBAROUSES, 12.Trent BUHAGIAR, 16.Joel KING, 17.Anthony CACERES, 18.Luke IVANOVIC, 21.Harry VAN der SAAG, 23.Rhyan GRANT, 25.Callum TALBOT, 27.Jordi SWIBEL, 30.Adam PAVLESIC (gk), 32.Patrick YAZBEK, 33.Pat WOOD
**2-4 to be omitted**
Ins: 25.Callum TALBOT (promoted), 27.Jordi SWIBEL (promoted), 32.Patrick YAZBEK (promoted)
Outs: 26.Luke BRATTAN (suspended – 1 week)
Unavailable: 7.Michael ZULLO (calf), 19.Chris ZUVELA (knee), 20.Tom HEWARD-BELLE (gk) (ankle), 28.Calem NIEUWENHOF (back), 99.Adam LE FONDRE (quarantine)
