Newcastle Jets centre-back Adrian Madaschi says he is fully fit and ready to take on the Brisbane Roar at Hunter Stadium on Friday night, as both teams look to re-launch their 2014/15 Hyundai A-League campaign.
Injures to his calf and quad muscles have prevented the former Socceroo featuring for the Jets so far this season, with his last outing coming in their behind-closed-doors pre-season match against Italian giants Juventus.
“To be honest I’m very happy to just be back in training and obviously if I can take that to the next level then I have no problems with that,” Madaschi said.
“This is my second full week of training so I’m in a better condition now and I’ll be available for the match against the Roar this weekend.”
Madaschi believes that now he’s back to full training he’s ready to take to the park but says it will be up to coach Phil Stubbins.
“I’m in a position in training where I’m making myself available as I’m giving 100% and feeling good,” said Madaschi.
“But it’s all down to the coach and how he sees it, as it should be, but I am fit, ready, and available to go.”
Madaschi said it’s been tough watching from the sidelines and thinks he can bring more structure and organisation to the Jets in defence.
“I believe my game is based on defensive structure and making sure that not only the back four are operating on the same lines, but making sure we defend as a collective,” said Madaschi.
“Eleven players defend and eleven players attack, so that’s where I see myself being important, getting the team into position when we’re attacking as that’s when you’re most vulnerable.”
Madaschi said it hasn’t been the best start to the season for the Jets but they’re working hard on improving their game at training.
“We’re a new group with a new coach and a new mentality, so it’s going to take some time and we’re still putting the pieces together.
“Football is a game about who makes the least mistakes and of late we’ve been getting goals and conceding them equally.
“But we’re aware of the mistakes that we’re making and we’re trying to correct them, and I think as we go forward and gel we’ll be a team that’s able to hold onto our leads and not make the same errors.
“If we can take out and minimalise mistakes as much as possible that would put us in a decent position to start taking three points from each game.”
Newcastle Jets v Brisbane Roar
Friday, November 14
Hunter Stadium
Kick-off 7.40pm AEDT
Tickets available from Ticketmaster.
