Central Coast will welcome four big guns back when the Mariners contest their second derby match in a week at Gosford on Sunday.
After downing long time rivals Newcastle last weekend and getting the points in a tough away clash with Perth on Wednesday night, the Mariners will be full of confidence when Sydney visit Bluetongue Stadium for another instalment of the F3 derby.
And coach Graham Arnold will not be short on troops, with star defenders Joshua Rose and Patrick Zwaanswijk expected to be straight back into the starting side after being rested for the match against Perth.
Things are also looking good at the other end of the field with attacking midfielder Patricio Perez and in-form striker Adam Kwasnik also to return after missing the trip to Western Australia. The four were given a match off due to the Mariners’ hectic schedule.
Central Coast will be desperate to pile on the misery on Sydney especially after hearing of Adelaide-s massive victory against North Queensland on Friday night.
But a win over Sydney will mean the Mariners stay in second spot on the league table, three points clear of the Reds.
Mariners’ assistant coach Phil Moss said the team is nicely placed heading into Sunday’s showdown and he hopes a big home crowd will inspire the team to score another home win.
“We-ve put ourselves in a good position,” he said.
“The challenge for the team now is to keep it going and not drop off the intensity at the business end of the season.”
“Sunday’s clash with an improving Sydney has all the ingredients for another special day at Bluetongue Stadium.”
