The Newcastle Jets have named an 18-man squad for Saturday’s clash with Western Sydney Wanderers at Hunter Stadium.
The Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets have named an 18-man squad for Saturday-s blockbuster clash with Western Sydney Wanderers at Hunter Stadium.
Joel Griffiths is in line to make his first appearance for the Jets since returning to Newcastle, after he received his international transfer clearance on Thursday.
“We-ve done the conditioning part to make sure Joel is ready for this game,” Zane said.
“Joel is a quality player and one thing we need is to start to add goals to our game and Joel can certainly do that.”
Apart from Griffiths- inclusion, Zane said he did not expect too many changes to the Jets- match day squad for Saturday-s clash with the Wanderers.
The former Socceroo indicated Jets captain Ruben Zadkovich would likely start the match in his preferred central midfield role.
“We-re looking at making one or two little changes, but tomorrow-s session will be the decider in whether we look to make that change or not,” Zane said.
“Ruben and Zenon (Caravella) added a little bit more energy and thrust going forward in that second half against the Mariners and obviously (Andrew) Hoole was the biggest positive to come out of that second half for us.
“It gives us a chance to move Ruben back into the midfield.
“We-ve looked at it two different ways and I think Ruben-s best position is from a central point of view, but it-s just making sure that we-re balanced and have people in the wide areas creating width and giving us a bit more going forward.”
In just his second week as interim head coach of the Jets, Zane said he was pleased with the way his playing squad was adapting to his coaching style and philosophies.
“The extra week has given us a bit of extra time to nail down the roles and make sure people know their responsibilities,” Zane said.
“Against Western Sydney Wanderers it needs to be a disciplined performance.
“We-ll be very similar in terms of the way we set up, but we-ve just gone into a little bit more detail about what we need in certain positions.”
Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 3. Taylor REGAN, 4. Kew JALIENS, 6. Zenon CARAVELLA, 7. Andrew HOOLE, 8. Ruben ZADKOVICH (c), 9. Emile HESKEY, 11. Craig GOODWIN, 13. Joey GIBBS, 15. Josh BRILLANTE, 16. Jacob PEPPER, 17. James VIRGILI, 19. Michael BRIDGES, 21. Sam GALLAWAY, 20. Ben KENNEDY (gk), 22. Adam TAGGART 27. Nick WARD 29. Joel GRIFFITHS (two to be omitted).
Ins: 29. Joel GRIFFITHS (received international transfer clearance)
Outs: Nil.
Unavailable: 2. Scott NEVILLE (knee injury – long term) 5. Ben KANTAROVSKI (knee – short term), 25. Mitch COOPER (knee injury – long term).
