THE NEWCASTLE HERALD
BY Robert Dillon
NEWCASTLE Jets coach Gary van Egmond hopes Danish import Jesper Hakansson will be fit to make his A-League debut in Friday night's clash with Melbourne Victory at the Telstra Dome.
Hakansson, a midfield playmaker, has missed the opening two games of Newcastle's A-League title defence after tearing his calf in the pre-season.
"Hopefully he'll be right for Melbourne, but if not, then he should definitely be right for Sydney [on September 13]," van Egmond said.
"We'll just see how he is at training this week.
"We'll also have Jason Hoffman and Jason Naidovski back from the Young Socceroos."
Hakansson, who earned a two-year deal with the Jets after trialling for a contract, has impressed his new teammates since arriving in Newcastle a month ago.
Jets striker Joel Griffiths has already labelled the 27-year-old a player capable of becoming a dominant force in the A-League.
Van Egmond will be hoping Hakansson can stiffen up Newcastle's defence after Friday's 3-3 draw with Perth Glory at Members Equity Stadium.
The Jets led 1-0 and 2-1 but eventually were lucky to salvage a draw when skipper Jade North scored with the last kick of the match.
Newcastle's other new recruit from overseas, Ecuadorean striker Edmundo Zura, was unable to open his goal-scoring account but van Egmond said he was continuing to improve.
The Jets are fourth on the table after two draws from as many games.
Melbourne, who beat Wellington 4-2 yesterday, are competition leaders on four points, ahead of Adelaide and Sydney on goal difference.
Article source http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/sport/soccer/jets-set-to-unveil-midfield-maestro/1252581.aspx
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