The Jets have chosen to take a 18-man squad to Bathurst ahead of their Wednesday night regional game against Adelaide United.
With such a short turnaround between games the Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets have chosen to take a 18-man squad to Bathurst ahead of their Wednesday night regional game against Adelaide United.
The Jets trained at Ray Watt Oval on Monday morning with close to the full compliment on field. Ruben Zadkovich was the only player missing the session but he is traveling to Bathurst and a decision to play him will be made closer to game day.
“We played Friday night, we have another game on Wednesday and then have to back up again on Saturday so we have to be careful with some of our players, especially the ones with bumps and bruises,” coach Gary van Egmond explained.
“I will have to talk to the physio to make sure Ruben is fine and we won-t risk him because of the number of games we have.
“We have to make sure we are bit smarter and ensure that long term as far as the season is concerned, he stays in tact.”
After making his return from illness in the second half of the Jets 1-0 loss to Wellington Phoenix on Friday night, the coach is unsure at this stage if Jobe Wheelhouse will return to the starting eleven this week.
“We will have a look at Jobey and see how he is with his foot, he missed four games and it is going to take a bit of time,” he said.
Francis Jeffers is likey to return after injuring his ankle during the Jets 1-all draw against Perth Glory in week 13 after getting through today-s training session and traveling with the team.
“We are looking to Francis to provide spark in the final third,” van Egmond added.
Tiago Calvano returns to the squad this week after missing last weekend’s game due to suspension, whilst Marko Jesic and James Virigil are in the squad for the midweek game in Bathurst.
The Jets arrive in Bathurst on Monday afternoon and attend a team appearance at Panthers from 5.30pm and then a Mayoral Reception Dinner from 6.30pm. On Tuesday the team will train at 10am at Carrington Park and take part in a skills clinic at Proctor Park at 3pm. The team play Adelaide United at 8pm on Wednesday evening and take part in an Australia Day event at 10am on Thursday before returning to Newcastle later that day.
The Newcastle Jets week 18-player squad: 1. Ben Kennedy (gk), 2. Taylor Regan, 4. Nikolai Topor-Stanley, 5. Tiago Calvano, 6. Ben Kantarovski, 8. Jeremy Brockie, 9. Michael Bridges, 10. Ruben Zadkovich, 11. Tarek Elrich, 12. Jobe Wheelhouse, 13. Byun, 14. Labinot Haliti, 17. James Virgili, 18. Marko Jesic 19. Matthew Nash (gk), 21. Francis Jeffers, 23. Ryan Griffiths, 25. Jacob Pepper.
