Newcastle Jets youngsters backed to fire

Newcastle Jets stars Michael Bridges (left) and Emile Heskey have been rested for the clash with Melbourne Victory. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun 

NEWCASTLE Jets coach Gary van Egmond has rubbished suggestions his new-look team of youngsters will be lambs to the slaughter in Melbourne today.

The Jets have rested veteran stars Emile Heskey and Michael Bridges and will field one of the youngest A-League squads in history against Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park, with an average age of just over 20.
But rather than play down his side's chances, Van Egmond says it's the Victory who are under more pressure.
"We've lost one of our last nine and they have lost three straight - I think we are the team with more confidence," Van Egmond said.
"Yes, we'll have a young side out there, but with that youthful exuberance, sometimes it's a case of players just feeding off each other. They can be oblivious to the pressure faced by players who have played a lot more football."

With Heskey and Bridges rested after the club's mid-week win against Wellington, the Jets have been further hampered by midfielder Zenon Caravella's hamstring injury and a knee problem for left back Sam Gallaway.
Caravella will miss the Victory game and next Friday night's clash with Perth, while Van Egmond revealed yesterday that Gallaway was also out of today's clash.
Striker Ryan Griffiths' surprise exit to China early last week has put a further strain on the club's roster.
Skipper Ruben Zadkovich, at just 26, will be the oldest Newcastle player on the field today in a team featuring several teenagers.
But the coach says there will be no excuses and hinted an ambush was not out of the question, claiming the Jets would not be sitting back and playing for a draw against Ange Postecoglou's team.
"We really want the three points," he said.
"We win and we are three points off fourth with a number of games still to go.
"There are a few areas we think we can really hurt Victory, but, in saying that, they are one of the best counter-attacking teams in the league so you have to respect that.
"It will be important for us when we go forward that we get really well organised in our defensive structure."
Young Socceroos striker Adam Taggart will fill the void up front in the absence of Heskey, while Mitch Cooper is set to make his first starting appearance in Bridges' attacking midfield role.
One thing the Jets won't lack is pace, with Craig Goodwin and James Virgili on the flanks sure to stretch Victory's defensive capabilities.
Victory will welcome the return of striker Archie Thompson from a hamstring injury, a factor Van Egmond played down.
"They get Archie back, but it's his first game in I don't know how long because of the hamstring injury," van Egmond said.
"It's always a little bit risky. They obviously want to win, but, at the same time, I know they have been training extremely hard.
"They are getting worked really hard because they are looking to taper for their finals assault rather than concentrating on the A-League right now.
"So in that respect, it's going to be an interesting contest."