Hyundai A-League action is just around for corner for the Jets, with a mouth-watering F3 Derby clash set to light up Gosford on Saturday night.
In anticipation of the season opener for Newcastle, Ernie Merrick has named a strong 19-man squad for the Round 2 fixture.
Returning from Australia duties will be Dimi Petratos, Johnny Koutroumbis, and Angus Thurgate. The trio may all play a role on Saturday night, having reported back fit and ready to go.
Ben Kantarovski misses out this weekend as the medical staff take every precaution in dealing with a slight hamstring knock, while Lewis Italiano is sidelined for a week following his red card in the FFA Cup Quarter Final defeat to Adelaide United.
There are a number of potential Hyundai A-League debuts amongst the squad named – Bobby Burns, Abdiel Arroyo, Maki Petratos and Noah James have never played in the competition.
Nick Fitzgerald and Matt Millar are also in line to make their maiden Jets bow in the Saturday night derby clash, but whether it’s in the starting XI or from the bench is up to Ernie.
Newcastle Jets FC Squad: 1.Glen MOSS (gk), 2.Bobby BURNS, 3.Jason HOFFMAN, 4.Nigel BOOGAARD (c), 6.Steven UGARKOVIC, 9.Abdiel ARROYO, 10.Dimi PETRATOS, 11.Nick FITZGERALD, 16.Matt MILLAR, 18.Johnny KOUTROUMBIS, 19.Kosta PETRATOS, 22.Lachlan JACKSON, 23.Matt RIDENTON, 25.Jack SIMMONS, 28.Pat LANGLOIS, 31.Maki PETRATOS, 32.Angus THURGATE, 40.Noah JAMES (gk), 44.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY (1-3 to be omitted)
Unavailable: 5.Ben KANTAROVSKI (hamstring – 1 week), 8.Wes HOOLAHAN (ankle – indefinite), 14.Kaine SHEPPARD (foot – indefinite), 20.Lewis ITALIANO (suspension – 1 week)
