Carney ready to go

Newcastle Jets recruit David Carney is expected to make his Jets debut against his former Club Sydney FC at Hunter Stadium on Saturday night.

Newcastle Jets recruit David Carney is expected to make his Jets debut against his former Club Sydney FC at Hunter Stadium on Saturday night.

While the Australian international indicated he is not yet fit enough to start the contest, he said he is hopeful of being able to make an impact off the bench for the Jets.

“I-ve worked really hard for the past three weeks now and I-ve tapered off in the last few days,” Carney said.

“My body has recovered, so hopefully I can play some part tomorrow and help get an important win for us.

“It will all come down to how the boys are doing. If the boys are winning and look comfortable I-m sure (my minutes) be limited.

“But if I can add something and the coach thinks I can add something for the team, I-m sure I-ll get some game time.”

Carney said he has settled in well to his new surroundings since joining Newcastle at the start of the month.

“The boys have been fantastic, we-ve got a lot of young ones which is great because they all very enthusiastic and all really fit,” Carney explained.

“There-s a lot of quality there, so I-m just looking to add a bit of experience.

“Joel coming in will help that as well as playing with Emile, because I thought he was fantastic last week against Brisbane.

“I thought the boys played really well last week and we looked comfortable the whole game.

“Defensively the boys all worked really hard and you need to do that against the top teams.

“We need that same sort of work rate against Sydney FC and hopefully we can add a bit of quality going forward.”

With Newcastle set to play five of their last eight matches at Hunter Stadium, Carney said he felt the Jets have the squad at their disposal to finish the season strongly and qualify for the Club-s first Hyundai A-League Finals Series in three seasons.

“Leading up to the finals now, we-ve got five games at home, so if we can be strong at home and really get the crowd here behind us, I think we have every chance of getting in the finals,” Carney said.

“You don-t want to just target getting into the finals, you have to believe that you can do something and go on and win it.”

Carney said he hopes some impressive individual performances for the Jets over the final eight weeks of the season will help him secure a spot in the Socceroos- squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

“I-ve got to perform for the Jets and give it everything, which I have done for the last three weeks getting myself really fit,” Carney said.

“If I can perform I still think I deserve a place in that World Cup squad.”

Newcastle Jets v Sydney FC Saturday, February 22 Hunter Stadium Kick-off 5.30pm Tickets available from PROticket.