Phoenix Strengthened by Key Returns for Newcastle Jets Showdown

Wellington Phoenix will be bolstered by the return of their captain and three key players as they gear up for Sunday’s crucial Isuzu UTE A-League encounter against the Newcastle Jets.

Skipper Alex Rufer is available again after serving a one-match suspension, while defenders Scott Wootton and Isaac Hughes, along with seasoned midfielder Paulo Retre, have recovered from injuries that sidelined them during last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Western Sydney Wanderers.

Head coach Giancarlo Italiano is optimistic about their involvement but remains cautious.

“I want to see how they pull up from training today,” Italiano stated on Friday. “As much as I want them back in the team, I don’t want to rush them and risk setbacks in these final crucial matches.”

He confirmed that Retre’s recovery is progressing well, while Wootton and Hughes are ahead of schedule, particularly Hughes, who has impressed during rehab. Their availability could prove vital in the Phoenix’s pursuit of a strong finish to the season.

Midfield Woes Continue as Geraldes Ruled Out for Season

While the return of key players is a boost, the Phoenix will be without Portuguese midfielder Francisco ‘Chico’ Geraldes, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury.

“Chico’s absence means we may have to tweak our setup, but our core principles will remain the same,” Italiano said.

All Whites Stars Return with Renewed Energy

Adding to the squad’s renewed momentum, Rufer, Kosta Barbarouses, and Tim Payne have returned from international duty, having helped the All Whites secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their return has injected fresh enthusiasm into the squad.

“All the boys are buzzing about the World Cup qualification,” Italiano noted. “It’s a huge motivation for them moving forward, and I expect them to be fully focused on making a strong case for selection in the final squad.”

With World Cup dreams now in play, Italiano anticipates a surge of competition among New Zealand’s footballers. “Instead of 30-40 players in contention, I expect 60-70 pushing for those final 26 spots.”

Newcastle Jets Face Uncertain Future After Coach’s Departure

The Newcastle Jets enter the match with their own distractions, following the announcement that head coach Rob Stanton will depart at the end of the season. Italiano questioned the timing of the decision, expressing admiration for Stanton’s work.

“I think it’s madness, to be fair. He took a club with limited resources and built something promising,” Italiano said. “They’ve played positive football, developed young players, and probably just needed more time.”

Despite the off-field uncertainty, Italiano does not believe the coaching change will impact the Jets’ performance.

“If it affected them, it would have done so weeks ago. It’s business as usual for them.”

Previous Encounter and Tactical Approach

Wellington Phoenix claimed a 2-1 victory over Newcastle in their last meeting in December, with goals from Barbarouses and Retre proving decisive. Since then, the Jets have found form, losing only three times and enjoying a seven-match unbeaten run before falling to Western United last month.

Reflecting on their last encounter, Italiano acknowledged the threat Newcastle pose. “They were dangerous the last time we played them. We were in a slump, and it was a cagey match. We sat deep and aimed to hit them on the counter, which worked at times, but they picked us apart through the middle.”

Since then, he believes the Jets have only improved. “They’ve stuck to their playing style, and with a couple of good results, their confidence has grown. They’ll be tough to break down.”

With Newcastle still fighting for a place in the finals, they need a victory on Sunday. However, Phoenix are not motivated by playing spoilers.

“Every match is the same for us,” Italiano insisted. “We’re not here to ruin anyone’s party, but if they want points from us, they’ll have to earn them. We believe we’re good enough to take all three.”

Match Details

• Fixture: Wellington Phoenix vs Newcastle Jets
• Date: Sunday, Round 25, Isuzu UTE A-League
• Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
• Kickoff: 7pm NZT (5pm AEST)
• Broadcast: LIVE on Sky Sport 7 (NZ) and Paramount+ (Australia)

Recent Meetings

• Last Match: December 28, 2024 – Wellington Phoenix 2-1 Newcastle Jets
• All-Time A-League Record: Phoenix 26W, Jets 17W, 7D

Squads

Wellington Phoenix: Josh Oluwayemi (GK), Corban Piper, Scott Wootton, Fin Roa Conchie, Tim Payne, Kosta Barbarouses, Paulo Retre, Hideki Ishige, Alex Rufer (C), Isaac Hughes, Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues, Lukas Kelly-Heald, Sam Sutton, Luke Supyk, Kazuki Nagasawa, Matt Sheridan, Luke Brooke-Smith, Dublin Boon (GK), Nathan Walker, Lachlan Candy.

• Unavailable: Stefan Colakovski (injured), Chico Geraldes (injured), Alby Kelly-Heald (GK, injured).

Newcastle Jets: Ryan Scott (GK), Phillip Čančar, Matthew Scarcella, Eli Adams, Lachlan Rose, Wellissol, Clayton Taylor, Dane Ingham, Aleksandar Šušnjar, Kosta Grozos (C), Kota Mizunuma, Callum Timmins, Charles M’Mombwa, Noah James (GK), Ben Gibson, Daniel Wilmering, Will Dobson, Mark Natta, Lachlan Bayliss, Thomas Aquilina.

• Unavailable: Oscar Fryer, Jacob Dowse.

With key players returning and both sides vying for crucial points, Sunday’s matchup promises to be a gripping contest as the Phoenix look to cement their standing while Newcastle fights for survival. Don’t miss it!