3 minute read
Newcastle import Roy O'Donovan is set to make an anticipated A-League season debut next week after serving the final game of his infamous 10-game ban.
Newcastle import Roy O'Donovan might be rushed straight back into the side after serving the final match of his 10-game A-League suspension.
O'Donovan is yet to appear in the A-League this campaign after being banned for his shocking high foot in last season's grand final against Melbourne Victory.
The Irish striker was handed the second-longest ban in league history after pleading guilty to serious foul play.
But, Jets coach Ernie Merrick is set to immediately re-insert the 33-year-old back into his line-up after Sunday's frustrating 2-0 home loss to Perth.
And Merrick can't wait for him to return for next week's derby against Central Coast, for whom O'Donovan scored 19 goals in 45 matches from 2015-17.
Merrick said O'Donovan had been covering plenty of distance in intra-club games.
"The distances he's covered in high-intensity areas, is 20 kilometres above our break-in records at the club," Merrick said after the defeat to the Glory.
"Believe me - he's lost weight, he's super-fit (and) he's very highly motivated to come back, so he's probably coming back at the right time."
The Jets had 22 shots against the Perth but only managed to get six on target as they were squeezed out of the contest by the Glory's suffocating defence.
Their lack of goalscoring punch has been a concerning trend for Merrick's attack, whose total six goals is just one more than the league-worst six by Central Coast.
Merrick claimed their lack of finishing had become a mental issue, but suggested Perth simply put numbers behind the ball after hitting the lead.
"It was very hard to break them down," he said.
"The final pass became frustrating for our players, but you can understand there's eight players in front of them and they'd left two up.
"It's very hard to get past eight players camped on the 18-yard box.
"I'm not criticising their coaching method. They did what they had to do and that's why they're the top of the league."
