Gary van Egmond has named an 18-man squad for the Jets’ Round 6 clash against Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday night.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets head coach Gary van Egmond has named an extended 18-man squad for the Jets’ Round 6 clash against Western Sydney Wanderers at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday night.
Ben Kantarovski drops out of the squad after it was discovered he has a small meniscus tear in his right knee.
The 20-year-old midfielder is likely to have an arthroscope to clean up the tear in his meniscus, which will keep him sidelined for a period of four to six weeks.
Dominik Ritter comes back into the squad after missing last Saturday-s 3-2 loss to Perth Glory at nib Stadium with a quadriceps injury.
With Ritter likely to slot straight back into his familiar role on the left side of defence, van Egmond said the Jets might alter their line-up slightly by pushing Craig Goodwin further up the park.
“If Dom is fit to play, he-ll come straight back in to left-back,” van Egmond said.
“It could push Craig further up the park, or he could come off the bench. I thought James Virgili was very good last week, but we could use him as an impact player as well.
“We-ve got a couple of options there. It-s a case of the front third being more so the area that you can tinker with a little bit.
“System-wise, it-ll be pretty much the same, but maybe tactically a bit different.”
Joshua Brillante, Connor Chapman, Jack Duncan, Mitchell Oxborrow and Adam Taggart all remain unavailable for selection as they continue their international commitments with the Young Socceroos at the AFC U-19 Championships in the United Arab Emirates.
Newcastle Jets squad: 2. Scott NEVILLE, 3. Tiago CALVANO, 4. Josh MITCHELL, 5. Dominik RITTER, 7. James BROWN, 8. Ruben ZADKOVICH, 9. Emile HESKEY, 10. Bernardo RIBEIRO, 14. Taylor REGAN, 15. Craig GOODWIN, 16. Jobe WHEELHOUSE (c), 17. James VIRGILI, 18. Jacob PEPPER, 19. Michael BRIDGES, 20. Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk) 21. Marko JESIC, 23. Ryan GRIFFITHS, 33. Matt NASH (gk).
In: Dominik RITTER, Michael BRIDGES, and Marko JESIC.
Out: Ben KANTAROVSKI (knee).
Unavailable: Josh BRILLANTE, Connor CHAPMAN, Jack DUNCAN, Mitch OXBORROW and Adam TAGGART (all on Young Socceroos duty), Ben KENNEDY (knee).
