Revitalised David Carney is hoping Newcastle can finally return to the finals and in doing so increase his chances of being on the Socceroos plane to Brazil.
Revitalised David Carney is hoping Newcastle can finally return to the Hyundai A-League finals and in doing so increase his chances of being on the Socceroos plane to Brazil.
The Jets currently sit three points outside the top six, with their finals hopes hanging by a thread heading into this weekend’s massive final round.
They need to beat Adelaide at Hunter Stadium on Friday night and then hope sixth-placed Sydney FC lose at home against lowly Perth Glory, all with a three-goal swing.
It would seem a long shot for Newcastle to leapfrog Sydney but Carney refuses to give up hope of a last weekend miracle.
“If we can just get a big win, that’s all we can do. Stranger things have happened in football, especially on the final day,” Carney said.
“It always seems that something happens that’s surprising. Hopefully there can be another one this week.
“I think if we get in the finals there’s not many teams that will want to play us because we’ve done quite well recently.
“I just wish we had another three or four games to go.”
Carney, 30, joined the Jets in January and has made steady improvements in every one of his six appearances for the club, including a superb performance in the 2-2 draw with Melbourne Victory on Saturday night.
So good was his all-round performance against Muscat’s men, he made the our team of the week. See who else made it here.
After a career that has seen him play for 13 clubs in 12 seasons, the 30-year-old says he now wants to some stability in his life and hopes to play on in the A-League and with the Jets next season.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time at the Jets and I’m happy here,” Carney said.
“Nothing’s been agreed on yet, just talk.
“Hopefully I can get that over the line and see what happens. I’d like to get it done sooner rather than later.”
If the Jets are knocked out of the finals race this weekend, Carney said he would consider a short-term deal in Asia to boost his chances of a return to the national team.
The former Sheffield United, Blackpool and New York Red Bulls defender returned to the A-League to try and push his Socceroos claims for Brazil.
“It’s all out of my hands but I still think I can do a job for Ange,” Carney added.
“But it’s up to him what sort of way he wants to go about it. All I can do is give it my all and concentrate on Newcastle which I have done since I’ve been here.
“Basically after that it’s up to him. I know there’s a new transition in the team at the moment and I think that’s what Ange wants to do. You have to accept that.
“We want to build up some young ones for the Asian Cup and obviously qualifying for the next World Cup and things like that don’t happen overnight. You have to work on it.
“I fully understand where they are coming from with that but if I can add a bit to the team, I’ll always play for the shirt like I have done before.”
Newcastle Jets take on Adelaide United in their final match of the regular season at Hunter Stadium on Friday night. Purchase your tickets by clicking here.
