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An 18-day wait between A-League matches has benefited Brisbane with Japanese striker Masato Kudo in line to debut against Newcastle on Wednesday.
Experienced Japanese forward Masato Kudo is poised to make his A-League debut for Brisbane in Wednesday's clash with winless Newcastle.
The Roar will take to the field for the first time in 18 days - after the postponement of their home match against Melbourne Victory due to Brisbane's COVID lockdown earlier this month - when they face the Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium.
While Brisbane coach Warren Moon says the break hasn't helped momentum after a stirring 3-1 win over the Victory at AAMI Park on January 2, it has given 30-year-old Kudo time to build his fitness.
"That's a positive for Masato," Moon told AAP.
"We knew he needed time to get on the park and get to build up his fitness and, yeah, he'll be travelling with us tomorrow and we might see him on the park."
The Roar will also have a debutant in goal with experienced custodian Jamie Young suffering a knee injury in training last week.
Young's absence means 22-year-old Macklin Freke will start against the Jets.
"I had no hesitation when we made the changes in the off-season that Macklin would be our number two because we have great belief in him and his ability," Moon said.
"I'm excited for him.
"Jamie's a slight knee injury. It's going to keep him out for a few weeks.
"We don't think it's too major but we won't see him for a couple of weeks but I'm really excited for the opportunity Macklin gets."
Moon is not taking the Jets lightly, despite their underwhelming start to the season, arguing interim-coach Craig Deans' side haven't got the results their performances have warranted.
"We know they're a good side. We played them in the pre-season and we know the threats and the strengths that they have," Moon said.
"We're expecting a really tough game tomorrow."
KEY MATCH STATS
* Newcastle's former Brisbane striker Roy O'Donovan is one goal away from 50 strikes in the A-League. He has scored three goals in his past three appearances against the Roar.
* Brisbane are chasing back-to-back wins over Newcastle for the first time since April 2015 after their 1-0 win last time these teams met in March 2020.
* Newcastle have only lost one of their past seven matches at home against Brisbane.
