Zwaanswijk set to start for Mariners

Veteran Central Coast defender Patrick Zwaanswijk is likely to be the Mariners’ only change for Saturday’s derby against the Newcastle Jets.

Veteran Central Coast defender Patrick Zwaanswijk is likely to be the Mariners’ only change for Saturday’s Hyundai A-League derby against the Newcastle Jets at Hunter Stadium.

Zwaanswijk missed the Mariners’ win over Brisbane with suspension and was used off the bench in a last start victory against Adelaide which sent the club to the top of the table.

In both wins youngster Zac Anderson did a solid job, meaning coach Graham Arnold has a tough decision to make.

With the Jets so reliant on star recruit Emile Heskey, Zwaanswijk could get the nod for a recall to the starting side due to his experience.

Arnold said the threat of Heskey will have a big bearing on who he chooses to play alongside Trent Sainsbury in the heart of defence.

“It’s a tough call to make,” Arnold said.

“Zac has done really well in both his starts and Patrick is one of the best imports to play in the A-League and is a very important player for us. I’m confident whoever starts will do a good job.”

The Mariners will be chasing redemption against their fierce rivals after losing to the Jets in controversial fashion in Round 3.

Central Coast were on the wrong end of several poor refereeing calls and went down 2-1.

“We’ve moved on pretty well since then,” skipper John Hutchinson said.

Hutchinson’s form alongside recruit Nick Montgomery has been an important factor in the Mariners’ rise to top spot.

The pair anchor the midfield and have wasted no time developing a successful partnership.

Montgomery struck the winner against the Reds last week and rarely loses a challenge under pressure.