Search

show me:

City eye edge in A-L premiers plate race

3 minute read

Melbourne City can extend their lead at the top of the A-League table to four points with a win over competition strugglers Newcastle Jets.

PATRICK KISNORBO.
PATRICK KISNORBO. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Melbourne City will look to quickly bounce back from their draw with Macarthur by extending their lead at the top of the A-League table with a win over last-placed Newcastle.

City can nudge their lead over Sydney FC and Central Coast in the race for the premiers plate out to four points by getting the job done against the struggling Jets at AAMI Park on Thursday.

They will welcome back centre-back Nuno Reis and versatile defender/midfielder Rostyn Griffiths, with Patrick Kisnorbo's entire squad available, bar hamstrung full-back Nathaniel Atkinson.

"It doesn't matter to me where people are on the ladder," Kisnorbo said.

"We'll play our strongest team possible that we can and do what we need to do and focus on tomorrow's game.

"No (fitness concerns) - obviously a couple of tired bodies but everyone is in contention."

The Jets will be without Roy O'Donovan (yellow card suspension) but Nigel Boogaard has been named to return from injury - likely off the bench.

Kisnorbo said he'd quickly moved on from City's wasteful performance against Macarthur, and also played down the suggestion they would sign a striker in preparation for Jamie Maclaren's expected call-up for the Socceroos' World Cup qualifiers.

"We need to just wait and see what's happening first, who gets picked for the Socceroos and then we have to see what happens after that," he said.

"We can't just bring people in for the sake of bringing them in because it doesn't work like that - because they've all got to fit into the salary cap."

STATS THAT MATTER

* Jamie Maclaren has scored 19 goals in 17 appearances this season

* Newcastle are in the midst of a 10-game winless run

* City and Newcastle have played once this season, with the Jets winning 1-0 courtesy of Valentino Yuel's goal.

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au