Adam Taggart says he is ready to step into the void if the Jets are without Emile Heskey for Saturday’s clash with Brisbane.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets forward Adam Taggart says he is ready to step into the void if the Jets are without marquee striker Emile Heskey for Saturday-s clash with Brisbane Roar at Hunter Stadium.
Taggart replaced Heskey at half-time in the Jets- 0-0 draw with Adelaide United last week, after the former England international was forced to come off with a hip-flexor injury.
The recently capped Socceroo said he would be ready if called upon once again.
“There-s obviously a few question marks over quite a few players so I think we-ll just have to wait and see what Gary thinks and obviously what the medical staff can come up with,” Taggart said.
“It-s been nice the last couple of weeks getting a bit more (game) time.
“Obviously the game coming up is important for all of us and myself personally. I want to do as much as I can to get in that line-up.
“I think the whole team is looking good even though we-ve got a few injuries at the moment.”
Taggart said he would take confidence from his performance against the Reds last week when he looked sharp and managed to get himself into goal-scoring positions.
“I think getting a bit longer time on the field gives you a bit more confidence and a bit more time to get into the game and try and do a couple of things.
“I was fairly happy with how I went, except that maybe I could-ve had a couple of goals.
“At the moment that-s my main objective, just to try and get on the scoresheet a bit more and put the ball in the back of the net.”
Taggart said the way the younger players in the Jets squad had stepped up during the injury-enforced absences of players like Jobe Wheelhouse and Josh Mitchell had been a major a positive for the club.
“If you look at all the young players in the team, they-re all quality players and have already done so much in a short period of time,” Taggart said.
“The boys have stepped up like Josh Brillante and Connor Chapman. They-ve all been quality and I don-t think you can really ask for much more than that.”
Newcastle Jets v Brisbane Roar
Saturday, January 12
Hunter Stadium
Kick-off 7.45pm
Tickets from PROticket
Limited parking will be available for purchase at the car park entrances on game days for the remainder of the Jets 2012/13 season. Whilst there will be parking available for purchase, Hunter Venues does encourage patrons to pre-purchase their parking tickets at a PROticket outlet or online at www.proticket.com.au as parking is subject to availability.
