Syahrian Abimanyu is edging closer to making his Newcastle Jets debut, named in the squad for the first time since arriving at the Club.
The Indonesian import is on loan from Johor Darul Ta’zim but yet to make an appearance for the Jets.
At home to Western United on Easter Monday, Coach Craig Deans hinted the 21-year-old is in line to gain his opportunity to showcase his talents in the A-League.
“Abi has been here for 4-5 weeks now, training fully and he’s getting closer and closer,” Deans said.
“There is possibly an opportunity to have a look at him off the bench.
“His training performances in the last couple of weeks have been good.
“Physically he’s catching up to where he needs to be, he’s got something a little bit different, he’s possibly an option off the bench.”
Already missing a host of players through injury, one of the Club’s most promising youngsters has joined the likes of Nigel Boogaard and Johnny Koutroumbis on the pine.
After notching seven goals for the Youth team last week, Tete Yengi has been sidelined with foot injury.
In a boost for the Club, talented teen Archie Goodwin returns from an ankle injury and despite being without several experienced players for the McDonald Jones Stadium match-up, Deans has challenged his players to step up and show their leadership.
“You can’t rely on Nige and Nikolai and Kanta and Hoff and Roy to always be the ones that are taking the leadership role,” Deans said.
“I’m looking for someone from out of the blue who jumps up and who starts taking responsibility and the sooner we get more people that feel comfortable enough and that are confident enough to take roles like that on, the better for the team as a whole.
“So, obviously you rely on your senior players but there is only like five or six of them. There’s 11 on the park in a game and another seven sitting on the bench, so we need everyone to take that responsibility.”
Monday, 5 April 2021 Newcastle Jets v Western United FC McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Kick-Off: 5:05pm (Local)(5:05pm (AEST))
Referee: Ben Abraham Assistant Referee 1: Ryan Gallagher Assistant Referee 2: James Cleal Fourth Official: Tim Danaskos VAR: Craig Zetter
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 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 #NEWvWUN
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: 20.Syahrian ABIMANYU (promoted),26.Archie GOODWIN (returns from ankle injury), 28.Blake ARCHBOLD (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 5.Ben KANTAROVKSI (calf – 1 week), 27.Lucas MAURAGIS (ankle – 1 week), 2.Johnny KOURTROUMBIS (MCL – 4-6 weeks), 4.Nigel BOOGAARD (Leg – 4 weeks), 15.Tete YENGI (Foot – 2-4 weeks)
Western United FC squad: 1. Filip KURTO (GK), 2. Aaron CALVER, 3. Brendan HAMILL, 4 Andrew DURANTE, 5. Dylan PIERIAS, 6. Tomoki IMAI, 7. Besart BERISHA, 8. Lachlan WALES, 9. Kaine SHEPPARD, 10. Steven LUSTICA, 11. Connor PAIN, 13. Ivan VUJICA, 21. Sebastian PASQUALI, 22. Tomislav USKOK 23. Alessandro DIAMANTI (c), 25. Luke DUZEL, 26. Nicolas MILANOVIC, 27. Jerry SKOTADIS, 30. Ryan SCOTT (GK), 34. Iker GUARROTXENA
*2-4 to be omitted*
Ins: 21. Sebastian PASQUALI (promoted), 26. Nicolas MILANOVIC (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 19. Joshua RISDON (tibia – 2-4 weeks), Victor SANCHEZ (hamstring – 1 week)