Young gun Champness edging closer to Jets return

Newcastle Jets young gun Joey Champness says he’s feeling good as he continues his rehab from a fractured foot and is targeting a January return to Hyundai A-League action.

The 21-year old forward suffered the injury in August and has not been involved in full-time training until now but is confident of a swift return.

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“We’re looking at around mid-January in terms of a comeback, and we’ve got a bunch of games around there so I’m on track,” Champness said this week.

“Obviously there’s a process there to follow, but it’s feeling good, there haven’t been any problems so hopefully January.”


While eager to take to the field Champness acknowledged he was simply relieved to be involved with the first team again.

“I felt sharp, which was good because I haven’t been out there for a while,” he said.

“For me, touching the ball and stuff, it felt good. It’ll build more with training and more time on the pitch.

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“Just to be around the squad again, slowly build into training and getting more involved, it’ll just feel better and better.

“I felt sharp, which was good because I haven’t been out there for a while. For me, touching the ball and stuff, it felt good. It’ll build more with training and more time on the pitch.”


After scoring five goals last season, the Jets have missed Champness along with fellow forward Roy O’Donovan, who has only one game left to serve in his 10-game suspension.

Coach Ernie Merrick will be relieved to get both attackers back with the Jets struggling to find the back of the net so far season.

The Hunter club have only managed seven strikes across seven games and while their defence has largely held up, the lack of goalmouth action has made for a tricky start to the campaign.

After a morale-boosting 2-0 triumph over Brisbane Roar last time out, Newcastle will welcome Hyundai A-League leaders Perth Glory to McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday in a bid to hold on to a place in the top six.

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This article was originally published on the Hyundai A-League website.
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