Newcastle Jets player Ruben Zadkovich says he sees himself playing in midfield for the Club next season.
Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets player Ruben Zadkovich says he sees himself playing in midfield for the Jets during the 2012/13 A-League season.
The versatile Zadkovich finished last year as the Jets- first choice right fullback, but the signings of Scott Neville and Joshua Brillante means the 26-year-old now has the opportunity to move back into his more favoured midfield role.
“I see myself as a midfielder,” Zadkovich explained.
“It-s more so last year Tarek moved from right-back and we didn-t have a right-back so I filled in there because I could do the job.
“I-m glad we-ve signed Scott Neville, he looks like a really good player and seems like a really nice guy, and we-ve also signed Josh Brillante who can play right-back as well.
“It looks to me like I-ll be playing in the midfield and Gary has said as much. I-m really looking forward to it, it will be good to lead from the middle there.”
Zadkovich has had a disrupted start to pre-season due to a knee injury he suffered in the Jets- last game of the 2011/12 season against Sydney FC, but he said it won-t be long before his is back to full fitness.
“I-m pretty much in full training now, I-ve just got a little bit less contact than the other boys, but all the physical running and other stuff I-ve been able to do,” he said.
“My physio Rob Dingle has been brilliant for me. He-s very thorough with what he does and I basically just follow his lead and the knee feels really good.
Zadkovich said the Jets- batch of new signings had already brought a positive vibe with them to the Club.
“There-s lots of young fellas and they-re going to bring loads of enthusiasm and energy which is great,” he said.
“It-s just going to be up to some of the experienced boys to help them along the way, with the way we play and what we want to achieve and how we achieve it.
“We-ve just got to stay focused and it looks like it-s going to be a really good year.”
Zadkovich said he is looking to take on more of a leadership role within the side this season.
“I definitely want to take on that extra responsibility and lead with my actions as much as my words,” he said.
“It-ll be about me focusing on my own football, playing the best that I can play. If can do that I can lead by example for sure.”
