A preliminary 18-player Newcastle Jets squad has been named ahead of Friday’s departure for Wellington, New Zealand for Hyundai A-League 2016/17 Round 24.
Jason Hoffman is set to return to the squad after serving a one-game suspension in round 23, while Tomislav Arcaba will back up Jack Duncan after missing last week due to a minor injury.
Utility Joel Allwright has also been promoted to the preliminary squad.
With four games remaining in the team’s regular season the Jets are six points shy of sixth-placed Western Sydney Wanderers.
A Newcastle win – regardless of Western Sydney’s result against Melbourne City at Spotless Stadium on Friday night – would keep the Jets in contention to play Finals football this campaign.
Newcastle will host Wanderers at McDonald Jones Stadium in round 25, meaning the team could gain ground against the red-and-blacks that day.
However if the Jets lose and Western Sydney wins in round 24, Newcastle’s dreams of a Finals appearance in 2017 would be effectively dashed.
Don’t miss this Sunday’s match against the ‘Nix. Kick-off is at 5:00pm at the fixture will be broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS 505.
Preliminary Newcastle Jets Squad vs. Wellington Phoenix: 2. Daniel MULLEN, 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, 13. Ivan VUJICA, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 18. MA Leilei, 19. Morten NORDSTRAND, 20. Jack DUNCAN (Gk), 22. Lachlan JACKSON, 28. John KOUTROUMBIS, 29. Joel ALLWRIGHT, 50. Tomislav ARCABA (Gk)
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 3. Jason HOFFMAN (returns from suspension), 29. Joel ALLWRIGHT (promoted), 50. Tomislav ARCABA (Gk) (returns from injury)
Outs: 30. Pierce CLARK (Gk) (omitted)
Unavailable: 1. Ben KENNEDY (Gk) (achilles – season), 16. Nicholas COWBURN (international duty), 21. Daniel ALESSI (knee – season)
Wellington Phoenix vs. Newcastle Jets – Hyundai A-League 2016/17 Round 24
When: Sunday 26 March 2017
Where: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 7:00pm (local); 5:00pm (AEDT)
TV Broadcast: Watch LIVE on FOX SPORTS 505
Social Media: Join the match conversation using #WELvNEW #ALeague
