The Jets travel north to the sunshine state this Sunday as Gold Coast United host play host in week four of the Hyundai A-League 2011/12 season.
The Newcastle Jets travel north to the sunshine state this Sunday as Gold Coast United host play host in week four of the Hyundai A-League 2011/12 season.
The Jets enter round four ahead of Gold Coast United on the ladder board. The Jets sit on six points while United are sitting on two points.
This year-s start has been the best ever for the Newcastle Jets, with a track record for being late bloomers.
The Jets welcome back captain Jobe Wheelhouse who has recovered from a weekend virus and will fill his rightful position at Skilled Park this weekend. However they are without defender Tiago Calvano due to a hamstring injury.
“It-s extremely unfortunate that Tiago got injured last match; being a starting player it is not ideal, however with the depth amongst the squad we should be able to fill his spot rather easily,” Wheelhouse said.
“It was really disappointing not being able to play last weekend against the Central Coast Mariners, not only because I-m Captain, but because it is always such a good hit out against them.”
Strengthening the Gold Coast side this weekend is striker Dylan Macallister, who was bitten by a redback spider two weeks ago but has made a full recovery and played in last weekend-s M1 Derby against Brisbane roar, showing no signs of the injury.
Also returning to the Gold Coast colours is veteran defender Kristian Rees who returns from a knee injury he suffered in the off-season. Rees will play his 100th A-League game on Sunday, his 54th with Gold Coast United.
“Gold Coast have the home crowd advantage this weekend; however, we will put the pressure on them early in attempt to score an early goal,” Wheelhouse added.
“Not much will change in terms of our game; we will just play as Gary tells us and hope to add another three points to the board.
“We also hope to see a heap of Jets fans cheering us on up there. The support for the team on the weekend against the Mariners made a real difference to the team and it would be great to experience that at an away game.”
Sunday-s clash will see the much anticipated return of Newcastle Jets Head Coach Gary van Egmond as well as Gold Coast defender Kristian Rees.
It will be survival of the fittest at Skilled Park as both teams battle it out for those priceless three early season points.
