Gary van Egmond said he expects another step-up in intensity when the Jets face the NBN State League Select on Wednesday.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets head coach Gary van Egmond said he expects another step-up in intensity when the Jets face the NBN State League Select team in a pre-season trial match at Jack McLaughlan Oval on Wednesday night.
The Jets have notched 3-0 victories over NBN State League clubs Lake Macquarie City FC and Weston Bears FC in their two pre-season fixtures so far, but van Egmond said his side is expecting an even tougher test on Wednesday.
“We need to keep on increasing the level of intensity in our games as we go through our pre-season and we need that from both a tactical and conditioning point of view,” van Egmond said.
“Testing ourselves against the best State League players from our region is another step in that process and we-re looking forward to having that opportunity tomorrow night.
“I-m sure the NBN Select team will come out with a lot of gusto and be out there to work hard and try and win, so there-s no doubt it-s going to be a good hit out for us.”
The Jets will be bolstered by the return of Andrew Hoole, who had a week off after suffering a minor knee injury while in training camp with the Socceroos.
Scott Neville will also be available for selection after missing last week-s match against Weston with illness.
“It-s good to have a few extra players slowly becoming available again,” van Egmond said.
“They need to get some game time with the rest of the squad under their belt and they-ll be able to do that tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, NBN State League Select head coach Scott Piggott has named an 18-man squad for Wednesday-s fixture.
“Hopefully the players picked will relish the opportunity to play against a national league team,” Piggott said.
“I-ve put some young players in the group alongside some experienced players down the middle of the park from goalkeeper through to the front line.
“We will have to adapt to whatever system (the Jets) put out.”
Wednesday’s trial match is scheduled to kick-off at 6.30pm.
NBN State League Select squad:
Jacob Bailey (Hamilton Olympic FC)
Daniel Bird (Charlestown City Blues FC)
Chris Bowling (Broadmeadow Magic FC)
Phil Bures (South Cardiff FC)
Mason Campbell (Hamilton Olympic FC)
Connor Evans (Lambton Jaffas FC)
Dino Fajkovic (South Cardiff FC)
Peter Haynes (Broadmeadow Magic FC)
Zac Hill (Edgeworth FC)
Daniel Ireland (Lambton Jaffas FC)
Alex Kantarovski (Broadmeadow Magic FC)
Simon Mooney (Lake Macquarie City FC)
Daniel Murphy (Lake Macquarie City FC)
Josh Piddington (Broadmeadow Magic FC)
Tommy Smart (Lambton Jaffas FC)
Scott Smith (Charlestown City Blues)
Carl Thornton (Weston Workers Bears FC)
Luke Virgili (Broadmeadow Magic FC)
NBN State League Select squad courtesy of www.northernnswfootball.com.au
Newcastle Jets FC v NBN State League Select
Jack McLaughlan Oval (Park St, Edgeworth)
Wednesday, July 31
Kick-off 6:30pm
