Finnish attacker Aleksandr Kokko is in line to make a welcome return to first team football this Saturday when Newcastle Jets host Sydney FC in the Club’s second annual RAAF Match.
Kokko, who suffered an achilles tendon injury on debut against Adelaide United in round 1, has trained strongly this week and may feature in Mark Jones’s plans for the Round 4 encounter with Graham Arnold’s Sky Blues.
Unfortunately, the Jets suffered two injuries in the Club’s remarkable come-from-behind 2-2 draw with Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday. Andrew Nabbout (groin) and Lachlan Jackson (ankle) will both miss the contest at McDonald Jones Stadium at the weekend.
However the absence of some potentially creates opportunity for others, and attacker Radovan Pavicevic and utility player Johnny Koutroumbis – who joined the Jets from Adelaide United last week – will be hoping to seize their chance should they be given one on Saturday.
Three F/A-18 Hornets will fly over McDonald Jones Stadium just prior to kick-off on Saturday, meaning there is set to be plenty of action both on and off the pitch when the undefeated Jets clash with the undefeated Sydney FC.
Newcastle Jets Squad vs. Sydney FC: 3. Jason HOFFMAN, 4. Nigel BOOGAARD (C), 5. Ben KANTAROVSKI, 6. Steven UGARKOVIC, 7. Andrew HOOLE, 8. Mateo POLJAK, 9. Aleksandr KOKKO, 10. Wayne BROWN, 11. Labinot HALITI, 13. Ivan VUJICA, 16. Nicholas COWBURN, 17. Radovan PAVICEVIC, 19. Morten NORDSTRAND, 20. Jack DUNCAN (gk), 23. Devante CLUT, 28. Johnny KOUTROUMBIS, 30. Pierce CLARK (gk) **one to be omitted**
Ins: 9. Aleksandr KOKKO (returns from injury), 17. Radovan PAVICEVIC (promoted), 28. Johnny KOUTROUMBIS (promoted)
Outs: 15. Andrew NABBOUT (groin – 1-3 weeks), 22. Lachlan JACKSON (ankle – indefinite)
Unavailable: 1. Ben KENNEDY (gk) (achilles – season), 2. Daniel MULLEN (knee – indefinite), 15. Andrew NABBOUT (groin – 1-3 weeks), 21. Daniel ALESSI (knee – season), 22. Lachlan JACKSON (ankle – indefinite)
Newcastle Jets vs. Sydney FC – Hyundai A-League 2016/17 Season Round 4
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Kick-off: 5:35pm
F/A-18 Hornet Fly-Over: Just before kick-off
Tickets: Please click here to purchase match tickets
Social Media: Use the hashtags #NEWvSYD and #TogetherWeCanSoar to join the match conversation
