Steven Ugarkovic has been named in the squad for Saturday’s clash against Melbourne Victory after missing last week with a back injury.
While much has been made of Ugarkovic’s future at the Club, Newcastle Jets Coach Craig Deans confirmed the defensive midfielder has had limited time on the training paddock but is a strong chance of coming onto the bench.
“As far as playing here, Stevie will come back into the squad,” Deans said.
“He’s only had two sessions since he last played, so he’s not ready to start yet.”
Having lost their last six games, Deans believes the team isn’t far off turning things around.
This Saturday at McDonald Jones Stadium is the prime time to kick into gear.
“A lot of it’s a confidence thing and a self-belief thing,” Deans said.
“We’ve got four games in 14 days, including the one just gone. So, there will be some changes to the team over those four games but at the moment, the players who played on the weekend had good games. They will get another opportunity this weekend.”
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Saturday, 10 April 2021 – Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Kick-Off: 3:05pm (Local)(3:05pm (AEST))
Referee: Adam Fielding Assistant Referee 1: Kearney Robinson Assistant Referee 2: Matthew McOrist Fourth Official: Tim Danaskos VAR: Shaun Evans
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 507 from 3:00pm (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 #NEWvMVC
To purchase tickets visit www.a-league.com.au/tickets
Newcastle Jets squad: 1.Lewis ITALIANO (gk), 3.Jason HOFFMAN, 6.Steven UGARKOVIC, 8.Liridon KRASNIQI, 9.Roy O’DONOVAN, 11.Ramy NAJJARINE, 14.Ali ABBAS, 16.Matt MILLAR, 17.Valentino YUEL, 20.Syahrian ABIMANYU, 21.Luka PRŠO, 22.Lachlan JACKSON, 23.Jack DUNCAN (gk), 24.Connor O’TOOLE, 26.Archie GOODWIN, 28.Blake ARCHBOLD, 32.Angus THURGATE, 33.Apostolos STAMATELOPOULOS, 44.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY (c), 51.Jordan LENNON.
**2-4 to be omitted**
Ins: 6.Steven UGARKOVIC (Returns from back injury), 28.Blake ARCHBOLD (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 5.Ben KANTAROVKSI (calf – 1 week), 2.Johnny KOURTROUMBIS (MCL – 3-4 weeks), 4.Nigel BOOGAARD (Leg – 3-4 weeks), 15.Tete YENGI (Foot – 4-6 weeks)
Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Matt ACTON (gk), 2.Storm ROUX, 3.Adama TRAORE, 4.Nick ANSELL, 7.Callum McMANAMAN, 8.Jacob BUTTERFIELD, 10.Robbie KRUSE, 11.Ben FOLAMI, 13.Birkan KIRDAR, 14.Jay BARNETT, 15 Aaron ANDERSON, 16.Brandon LAUTON, 19.Dylan RYAN, 20.Max CROCOMBE (gk), 22.Jacob BRIMMER, 25.Luis LAWRIE-LATTANZIO, 26.Lleyton BROOKS, 35.Zaydan BELLO
**0-2 to be omitted**
In: 25.Luis LAWRIE-LATTANZIO (promoted), 35.Zaydan BELLO (promoted)
Out: 17.Elvis KAMSOBA (suspended), 33.Dalibor MARKOVIC (omitted)
Unavailable: 5.Ryan SHOTTON (injured – knee), 6.Leigh BROXHAM (injured – hamstring), 9.Rudy GESTEDE (injured- knee), 23.Marco ROJAS (injured – ankle)
