The Newcastle Jets have named an 18-man squad for Sunday’s opening home game against Perth Glory at Hunter Stadium.
The Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets have named an 18-man squad for Sunday-s opening home game against Perth Glory at Hunter Stadium.
Veteran attacker Michael Bridges comes back into the squad after missing the Jets- Round 1 clash with Sydney FC due to a groin injury, while striker Joey Gibbs has also been added after recovering from illness.
Bridges said he had been close to playing against the Sky Blues in the season opener, but was not quite at 100 per cent fitness for the match.
“At the end of the day I-m not going to lie and let the team down, or let the manager down and I-m certainly not going to let the fans down,”
“If I-m not 100 per cent and I-m feeling something, there-s no point in having 10 men out there
“I could have gone out there and wrapped myself in cotton wool, but I would have got found out, and that-s not in my nature.
Bridges said he was feeling good ahead of Sunday-s clash with the Glory.
“I-ve trained all week with the boys and I-m feeling good now,” Bridges said.
“We-re all just focusing now on Perth and how we can break them down in the final third and get some goals.
“It-s almost like having another gaffer on the park, so hopefully with myself being back this week I can take the pressure off the younger boys and they can go and express themselves.”
Newcastle Jets Squad: 1. Mark BIRIGHITTI (GK), 2. Scott NEVILLE, 4. Kew JALIENS, 6. Zenon CARAVELLA, 7. Andrew HOOLE, 8. Ruben ZADKOVICH, 10. Nathan BURNS, 11. Craig GOODWIN, 12. Connor CHAPMAN, 13. Joey GIBBS, 15. Josh BRILLANTE, 16. Jacob PEPPER, 17. James VIRGILI 18. James BROWN, 19. Michael BRIDGES, 20. Ben KENNEDY, 21. Sam GALLAWAY, 22. Adam TAGGART (two to be omitted).
Ins: Joey GIBBS (returns from illness), Michael BRIDGES (returns from injury)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Emile HESKEY (knee – 3 to 4 weeks), Mitch COOPER (knee – long term).
Newcastle Jets v Perth Glory
Sunday, October 20
Hunter Stadium
Kick-off 3pm
Tickets available from PROticket
