Mariners name extended squad for Jets clash

Former Newcastle midfielder Damien Brown has been promoted to the Central Coast Mariners’ playing squad for tomorrow’s crucial derby match up against the Newcastle Jets at Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium, along with short-term signing Mile Jedinak.

Brown, 31, has experience with two of Newcastle’s former National Soccer League (NSL) representations, firstly with the Newcastle Breakers in 1995/96 and lastly with Newcastle United in the last ever NSL season in 2003/04.

Joining Brown in an extended squad of seventeen players is midfielder Jedinak, who is the first outfield temporary signing to be offered a chance by the Mariners during the 2006/07 Hyundai A-League season.

Jedinak has been training with the Mariners since joining the club ahead of their last encounter with the Jets in the semi final of the Pre-Season Cup at Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium.

Ironically, Jedinak made a substitute appearance in that match, replacing the very player that he will be covering for the length of his short-term contract – Andre Gumprecht.

Gumprecht is the only omission from the Mariners side that lost 1-0 to the Melbourne Victory at Olympic Park last Sunday, having strained the medial ligament in his right knee, an injury that is set to sideline the German for up to eight weeks.

The Mariners also welcome back Bradley Porter from the Young Socceroos’ (Under 20’s) highly successful tour of Malaysia, where Porter made appearances in Australia’s wins over Vietnam and Malaysia.

"We’ve added Jedinak to cover the loss of Gumprecht and he’s a great talent who will definitely be able to compete at this level.

"Brown also comes back and he’s as hungry as he has ever been having missed last week’s game and he gives us another option going forward."

Tomorrow’s encounter will be the eighth meeting between the Mariners and the Jets in all competitions.

The Mariners have the better record of the two sides, having won four (two of which after regulation time) of their previous seven match ups and drawing two.

A-League Round 5

Central Coast Mariners vs Newcastle Jets
Saturday night, September 23, 2006
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Kick off: 7:00pm (local/AEST)

Live Coverage on Fox Sports Two from 7:00pm (AEST).

Team Line-up: 3 Paul O’Grady, 4 Noel Spencer, 5 Bradley Porter, 7 John Hutchinson, 8 Jamie McMaster, 10 Tom Pondeljak, 11 Damien Brown, 12 Stewart Petrie, 13 Tony Vidmar, 14 Vuko Tomasevic, 15 Andrew Clark, 17 Matthew Osman, 18 Alex Wilkinson, 19 Adam Kwasnik, 20 Danny Vukovic (gk), 23 Mile Jedinak, 30 Matthew Trott (gk).

Steve Waugh and Graham Arnold will headline a celebrity fixture in the name of charity for Give Me Five for Kids that is to kick off shortly after gates open at 5:00pm. The first 5,000 fans through the gates will receive free Central Coast Mariners thunder sticks.

Tickets for the match are on sale now from Ticketek outlets, the Ticketek website – www.ticketek.com.au, or via phone on 132 849.