The Newcastle Jets have named an extended 19-man squad for Saturday’s Round 20 clash with Western Sydney Wanderers.
The Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets have named an extended 19-man squad for Saturday-s Round 20 clash with Western Sydney Wanderers at Campbelltown Stadium.
Defender Sam Gallaway has been included in the squad after serving a one-match suspension in the Jets’ 2-2 draw with Sydney FC at Hunter Stadium last weekend.
Midfielder James Brown is unavailable for selection due to family reasons and Jets head coach Gary van Egmond said the Jets are looking at a number of different options to cover for Brown’s absence.
“We looked at it a bit this morning. We looked at Ryan Griffiths playing a little bit more central or going with three in the midfield,” van Egmond said.
“Adam Taggart has been doing well in the youth team, so hopefully he gets some game time this weekend – I-m pretty sure he will – and he can show people what he can do.
“At the end of the day we-ll look at it and see what the best use of our squad is for this weekend.
“With James Brown not being there it might give someone like Michael Bridges more opportunity.”
Van Egmond said he may also look to tinker with the Jets defence slightly with Taylor Regan back in the frame for selection.
“We looked at even Connor Chapman going into the midfield and Taylor at the back with Josh Mitchell, so we-re tossing up with that idea a little bit,” van Egmond said.
“It may be a case of Taylor coming in and replacing one of the two as well, we-ll just have to see.”
Dominik Ritter will make his return to action with the Jets youth team on Sunday.
“Dom will definitely have a game with the youth team this week and get a good 60-odd minute hit out. We-ll see how that goes and then he-ll be up for selection next week,” van Egmond explained.
Van Egmond said he expected the third-placed Wanderers to give the Jets one of their toughest tests of the season.
“They played well last week. I watched their game against Adelaide and I thought they were very good,” he said.
“They-re extremely fit, mobile and have got some good players that can hurt you on an individual basis and they were very impressive last week.”
Newcastle Jets squad:
1. Ben Kennedy (gk), 2. Scott Neville, 3. Zenon Caravella, 4. Josh Mitchell, 8. Ruben Zadkovich, 9. Emile Heskey, 11. Connor Chapman, 12. Josh Brillante, 13. Sam Gallaway, 14. Taylor Regan, 15. Craig Goodwin, 17. James Virgili, 18. Jacob Pepper, 19. Michael Bridges, 20. Mark Birighitti (gk), 22. Adam Taggart, 23. Ryan Griffiths, 25. Mitch Cooper, 26. Andrew Hoole.
Ins: Sam Gallaway, (returns from suspension), Taylor Regan, Jacob Pepper, Adam Taggart, Mitch Cooper (all elevated).
Outs: James Brown (family reasons).
Unavailable: Ben Kantarovski (knee).
All pre-purchased tickets to Saturday’s game include travel from Newcastle to the venue on CityRail trains as well as free transport on regular Sydney Buses (STA) services, Liverpool to Parramatta T-way buses and Sydney Ferries services.
The Jets Members pre sale has now ended, but tickets can still be purchased by CLICKING HERE.
