Melbourne Victory resumes its Hyundai A-League campaign with a trip to Newcastle to face the Jets on Saturday.
Summary
Victory must deal with a short turnaround after being edged 1-0 by Seoul in the AFC Champions League on Tuesday.
The trip to Newcastle begins a big finish to the campaign for Victory, which has nine regular-season games remaining.
Despite falling short against Seoul, Victory had its chances, but was left with three points from its opening two games in Group E.
It returns to Hyundai A-League action for the first time since its narrow Derby loss on February 7.
Victory saw Robbie Kruse suffer a hamstring injury during the defeat to City, while midfielder Jay Barnett picked up an injury against Seoul.
But it has had Marco Rojas, who returned to the club last month, continue to get more minutes as he builds his fitness.
Rojas has made four appearances off the bench, including playing the final half-hour against Seoul.
Victory has won four of its past six meetings with Newcastle, including the Hyundai A-League clash between the sides earlier this season.
Player in focus
Last time
Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Round 13
Melbourne Victory 4-0 Newcastle Jets
Sunday, January 5, 2020
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Victory produced a dominant display when the teams met at the start of the year.
Kruse, Migjen Basha and Andrew Nabbout scored before Matthew Millar’s late own goal for Newcastle.
As it stands
Head to head
Round 13, 2019/20: Victory 4-0 Jets at AAMI Park
Round of 32, 2019 FFA Cup: Victory 2-3 Jets at AAMI Park
Round 21, 2018/19: Victory 0-2 Jets at GMHBA Stadium
Round 13, 2018/19: Victory 2-1 Jets at AAMI Park
Round 3, 2018/19: Jets 0-1 Victory at McDonald Jones Stadium
Match details
Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Saturday, February 22, 2020
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEDT
Melbourne Victory squad: 4.James DONACHIE, 5.Tim HOOGLAND, 6. Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Kenny ATHIU, 8.Jakob POULSEN, 9.Andrew NABBOUT, 11.Ola TOIVONEN, 15.Giancarlo GALLIFUOCO, 16.Josh HOPE, 17.Elvis KAMSOBA, 18.Migjen BASHA, 19.Ben CARRIGAN, 20.Lawrence THOMAS (gk), 21.Adama TRAORE, 23. Marco ROJAS, 24.Anthony LESIOTIS, 25.Brandon LAUTON, 30. Matthew SUTTON, 32. So NISHIKAWA
**1-3 to be omitted**
Ins: 6.Leigh BROXHAM (return from injury), 7.Kenny ATHIU (promoted), 30. Matthew SUTTON (promoted), 32. So NISHIKAWA (promoted)
Outs: 2.Storm ROUX (calf),10.Robbie KRUSE (hamstring), 26.Jay BARNETT (injured – to be assessed) 50.Brendan WHITE (released)
Unavailable: 1.Matt ACTON (shoulder)
