Gary van Egmond has named his starting XI for the Newcastle Jets’ trial against the NBN State League Select tonight.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets head coach Gary van Egmond has named his starting XI for tonight-s trial game against the NBN State League Select at Darling Street Oval.
The line-up is unchanged from the team that defeated the Canberra Rockets in Canberra last week.
Ben Kennedy will start in goals behind a back-four featuring Scott Neville, Tiago Calvano, Josh Mitchell and Craig Goodwin.
Ben Kantarovski will play as a holding midfielder with Jacob Pepper and Ruben Zadkovich joining him in the middle of the park.
Fresh from scoring a hat-trick against the Rockets, Ryan Griffiths will play at the point of the forward line with James Virgili and James Brown on the wings.
“We-ll be using the same starting line-up as we did in Canberra and making changes throughout the game when we think they-re appropriate,” van Egmond said.
“Again we-ll be concentrating on implementing the style of play we are looking to employ and it is another good opportunity to give these boys some game time.
“It-s very important during this six-week block of pre-season that we start to build up the players- match fitness.”
Adam Taggart returns from a groin injury and is expected to feature off the bench, while Marko Jesic (hip-flexor) and Jobe Wheelhouse (foot) are both unavailable due to injury.
“Adam will get some game time, but we just need to continue to be careful with him and gradually build-up the strength in the area where the injury was,” van Egmond explained.
Joshua Brillante, Mitch Cooper, Connor Chapman and Jack Duncan are yet to return to Newcastle from their commitments with the Australian under 20-s and will miss the clash.
Match Details:
Newcastle Jets v NBN State League Select
Darling Street Oval
Wednesday, July 18
Kick-off 7pm
