For the first time in the club’s history, Central Coast Mariners boss Lawrie McKinna has a full squad to pick from for Friday night’s crunch Hyundai A-League contest against arch-rivals Newcastle.
McKinna’s biggest concern this week has been finalising a side with all his squad raring to take on their F3 Derby rival at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
The Mariners will head into the contest buzzing after a last-start 3-0 victory against Brisbane.
While delighted with the win, McKinna said aspects of his team’s performance were disappointing. Several players also indicated the team would need improvement against Newcastle.
Despite having everyone available McKinna is expected to name an unchanged line-up.
“To have no injuries at this time of the season is a good position to be in,” McKinna said on Wednesday.
“No one is injured but after last week’s win we’ll probably go in unchanged.”
“There was a few things in the second half against Brisbane that weren’t great but we’ve worked hard this week.”
While the Mariners are only four points from the competition lead in fifth spot, the Jets are languishing in equal last place with only nine competition points.
Another defeat would make the club’s task of reaching the finals extremely difficult.
But McKinna said his team would have to be at its best to pick up three points.
“We’re expecting a tough local derby,” McKinna said.
“It’s been a while since they’ve had a win but they’ve got some good players.”
