Central Coast coach Lawrie McKinna is considering making several changes as the Mariners battle to avoid four Hyundai A-League defeats in a row against Sydney on Wednesday night.
Losses to Gold Coast, Melbourne and Brisbane have seen the Mariners slip from third to sixth place.
Last-placed North Queensland is only three points behind the Mariners so a victory is essential for Central Coast at the Sydney Football Stadium.
McKinna will delay naming a starting side until game day but four players have been drafted into the squad.
Defender Dean Heffernan and midfielder John Hutchinson return from suspension, while Matthew Crowell and Nik Mrdja are also back in the club’s top squad.
Heffernan and Hutchinson are set to start after several eye-catching performances before missing last week’s home defeat against Brisbane.
“We missed both of them last week,” McKinna said.
“Having them back is a huge bonus.”
Mrdja was dumped from the squad last week but has shown glimpses of his best form during the campaign.
Meanwhile, McKinna has been happy with how his team has responded from the hat-trick of defeats.
“Training has been very good this week,” he said.
“Everybody is fine, we’re just very keen to turn things around after what has been a tough few weeks.”
