Newcastle midfielder Mitch Oxborrow has set his sights on becoming a regular feature of the Jets’ match day squad after signing a one-year contract extension.
Newcastle Jets midfielder Mitch Oxborrow has set his sights on becoming a regular feature of the Jets- match day squad after signing a one-year contract extension with the Club on Thursday.
Oxborrow said he was pleased to have re-signed with the Jets until the end of the 2014/15 Hyundai A-League season.
“I-m really enjoying Newcastle, it-s such a nice place and there isn-t much not to like about it,” Oxborrow.
“I-m enjoying my football and starting to grow in confidence and my playing is also coming along well.”
Oxborrow was the latest off-contract Jets player to commit to the Club for next season and beyond, with the likes of Josh Brillante, Andrew Hoole, Taylor Regan, Mark Birighitti and Zenon Caravella all extending their stay in Newcastle in recent months.
Oxborrow said the raft of players re-signing was evidence of the strong culture being built at the Jets.
“You want to try and keep the same squad together, because if you have a lot of new faces coming in, it changes the culture in the team,” Oxborrow explained.
“At the moment we-ve got a really close squad and if we keep most of the boys here for another season or two, it-s just going to make us a better team and a stronger unit.”
After getting his first taste of Hyundai A-League action last season, Oxborrow said he is determined to get regular game time this campaign.
“At the minute I think I just need to get back into the swing of things,” Oxborrow said.
“I just got back from overseas and I just want to get back into the training routine, work my way onto the bench and maybe even get into the starting XI by the end of season.”
Oxborrow recently returned from Malaysia where he was a part of the Young Socceroos squad that qualified for next year-s AFC U-19 Championships.
The 18-year-old said he learned a number of valuable lessons from the experience.
“It was excellent and it-s always good to play for your country whether it-s qualifiers, friendlies or an overseas tour, it-s great to get away and represent Australia,” Oxborrow said.
“It showed me to expect the unexpected. We went into the game against Vietnam a bit overconfident and they beat us 5-1.
“It shows you can-t take anything for granted in football and that any team can beat anyone on their day.”
Newcastle Jets v Perth Glory
Sunday, October 20
Hunter Stadium
Kick-off 3pm
Tickets available from PROticket
