Newcastle trio Jobe Wheelhouse, Francis Jeffers and Ryan Griffiths have all overcome niggling injuries and are certain starters for Sunday’s do-or-die clash with Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium.
Newcastle trio Jobe Wheelhouse, Francis Jeffers and Ryan Griffiths have all overcome niggling injuries and are certain starters for Sunday’s do-or-die clash with Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium.
Wheelhouse (toe), Jeffers (thigh) and Griffiths (cork) were restricted to gym work earlier in the week but all took part in a strenuous training session on Friday to confirm their availability for Sunday’s showdown with the Sky Blues.
“It’s a positive that Jobe and Francis both trained because they play important roles in the team and we need people like that to be fully fit and to be able to contribute the way they can,” Jets assistant coach Craig Deans said on Friday.
“Ryan Griffiths is also fully fit again so that gives us a few options in the front third. We also have Jeremy Brockie, Ali Abbas and Tarek Elrich along with Francis so there are plenty of ways to go.”
Newcastle coach Gary van Egmond named an extended 18-man squad for the clash with suspended defender Tiago Calvano to be replaced by Taylor Regan in the only expected change to the squad that lost 2-1 to Brisbane last start.
Labinot Haliti, James Virgili and Connor Chapman have also been named but will most likely be watching the game from the grandstand.
Newcastle and Sydney are locked on 35 points with the Jets ahead on goal difference meaning they need a win or a draw this weekend to snare the remaining finals berth.
In a reflection of their situation the Jets players were put through an intense training session on Friday.
“Today’s training session was a step up in intensity from anything else we’ve had this season so far so that’s a good indication that the players are aware of what is at stake,” Deans said.
“It’s pretty much a finals game and we’ve got to treat it as such.
“They all understand that it is a must-win game and they’ve all taken the attitude they need to for a game like that.”
Even though a draw will be enough Deans said the Jets would continue to play their high-pressure possession-based game. However he doesn’t think it will be as open as the 5-2 victory Newcastle enjoyed when the sides met a month ago.
“Last time we were in Sydney I think the score line flattered us a little bit towards the end but we were good enough to take five chances that were presented to us,” he said.
“We’ll continue with the way we’ve been playing and from their point of view they have to win the game and hopefully if they over commit in any way, we can punish them.”
