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Newcastle Jets coach Craig Deans is hoping the energy of new recruit Luka Prso has a big influence on his side ahead of their match against Melbourne City.

Newcastle coach Craig Deans hopes the confidence of exciting recruit Luka Prso is infectious as the 20-year-old prepares for his first A-League start on Sunday.

The midfielder impressed in just 23 minutes from the bench in his league debut against Western Sydney last Friday, helping the Jets to a 1-1 draw.

And just as the Jets start to build into their season, an injection of Prso's confidence could be just what they need against Melbourne City.

"When you're young, he's 20, he's not that young, but you think you can do anything, you don't believe in a lack of ability, you don't have any fear for anything," Deans said.

"He would have obviously have been a bit nervous but he came on and just played football like he was just in the park with his mates, which is great.

"Tomorrow is a different story, he's going for the start so he's going to have to think his way through the game a bit more but he's got that natural ability, everybody saw that.

"For him now it's about understanding senior football, playing consistent football for an hour or 70 or 80 minutes or however long he's on the field for."

Prso is on loan to the Jets from Croatian second-tier club NK Osijek II, and recently got out of hotel quarantine where he was using a treadmill to stay in shape.

His effort in the draw with the Wanderers showed Deans he's ready to take the next step to a starting spot.

"I like his energy, he's super confident in his own ability, he's got 1000 questions at training which is good, he's energetic, he runs around with a smile on his face," Deans said.

"It's nice to see young players play for the enjoyment of the game and we need to give him the freedom to play because there's no point trapping him into tactics and all that sort of stuff.

"Obviously there's certain things he needs to do as far as the team goes and all of that sort of stuff but I just hope he goes out there and shows everyone what he's got, hopefully get a goal or two and just for him personally to enjoy the experience."

Heading into Sunday's game at McDonald Jones Stadium, the Jets are riding high after their draw with the Wanderers and a win against Wellington the week before.

However, City are smarting after losing their last two matches to Perth and Central Coast.

*STATS THAT MATTER*

*The last time Melbourne City lost more than two games in a row was in February-March, 2018.

*Melbourne's Curtis Good has made 81 passes this season, more than any other player in the competition.

*Newcastle have conceded the opening goal five times this season for one draw and four losses, while no other side has conceded first more than three times.