The squad for this weekend’s clash with Melbourne Victory has been named, with 18 in the mix for Sunday.
With zero ins or outs, Ernie Merrick has signalled his faith in the side which secured a point and very nearly took three against Brisbane last Saturday night.
Bobby Burns made his first appearance in the starting XI as a Jet in that match and saw 72 minutes before being substituted. Merrick has signalled that once again, Burns will feature in the starting XI.
With another week on the training paddock, Kaine Sheppard may come into the mix for a spot in the XI this weekend. He’ll have to dislodge a man in some good form however, with Angus Thurgate the man currently occupying that space up top.
Nigel Boogaard misses out this weekend and won’t make the trip south as he battles to overcome an adductor injury. The captain is on the mend, and will likely come into contention in the coming weeks.
In positive news for Jets fans, despite his omission from the squad Panamanian striker, Abdiel Arroyo has progressed and is nearing a return to full training.
Wes Hoolahan is also set to begin working his way back to fitness, with the midfielder due to resume running on an anti-gravity treadmill in the coming days.
Newcastle Jets FC Squad: 1.Glen MOSS (gk), 2.Bobby BURNS, 3.Jason HOFFMAN, 5.Ben KANTAROVSKI, 6.Steven UGARKOVIC, 10.Dimi PETRATOS, 11.Nick FITZGERALD, 14.Kaine SHEPPARD, 16.Matt MILLAR, 18.Johnny KOUTROUMBIS, 19.Kosta PETRATOS, 20.Lewis ITALIANO (gk), 22.Lachlan JACKSON, 23.Matt RIDENTON, 25.Jack SIMMONS, 28.Pat LANGLOIS, 32.Angus THURGATE, 44.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY (1-2 to be omitted)
Ins: Nil
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 4.Nigel BOOGAARD (adductor – 2-4 weeks), 8.Wes HOOLAHAN (ankle – indefinite), 9.Abdiel ARROYO (hamstring – 2-4 weeks)
