BEN Kantarovski is the Jets' most capped player with 196 appearances, but the home-grown midfielder is unlikely to reach the 200-game milestone any time soon after his career has again been stalled by injury.
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Two days out from the start of Kantarovski's 13th season, the 28-year-old is waiting to see a specialist and is likely to require surgery to correct a nerve problem.
The former Olyroos captain has been hindered by spasms in his lower leg and has not trained with the main group for five weeks.
When fit, the lucklesss playmaker has been among the first names on the teamsheet, and he was again shaping as a key component in a Jets squad thin on depth.
"Kanta has already missed five weeks and if he needs surgery it will be a long process," Jets interim coach Craig Deans said. "It's a shame. He was training well in pre-season. Whoever the coach is seems to say the same thing every year - Kanta is healthy and looking fit and he keeps getting these obscure injuries."
Kantarovski's absence leaves Steve Ugarkovic, who wants out of the club, and Angus Thurgate as the only senior holding midfielders on the roster.
Jack Simmons, who finished year 12 this year and is on a scholarship, will provide back-up.
However, Deans said he would look to bring in an injury replacement player once they get a full diagnosis on Kantarovski.
"Once Kanta speaks to a specialist, we can make a decision," Deans said. "He has already missed five weeks. We do not have access to another player and need another body around.
"Jack Simmons has to step up and make sure if there is an opportunity that he is training well enough to get that. He has been [training] with the group two years now. This is his chance if he wants to be a footballer. He is the next one in line.
"The other option is for someone like Ali Abbas to drop back there, but that is probably not his strongest asset. He is more attacking."
Abbas is waiting the results of compulsory ECG and ECHO tests before putting pen to paper on a contract and is likely to be on the bench for the season opener against Central Coast in Gosford on New Year's Eve.
Johnny Koutroumbis has not fully recovered from an ankle injury, opening the door for Lachy Jackson to play on the right of a back three in the derby.
"Johnny's ankle hasn't settled down as quickly as we thought it might," Deans said. "He ran on Sunday and will probably do a fair bit on Tuesday but it is not enough time."
Jackson had a knee reconstruction in February and has played two games back.
"Lachy probably has got enough minutes in is legs now, it is just a matter of getting back in the swing of game play rather than training," Deans said. "He has played enough games to know how to get through it."
Jets (3-5-2): Duncan; Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Nigel Boogaard, Lachy Jackson; Connor O'Toole, Steve Ugarkovic, Angus Thurgate, Ramy Najjarine, Jason Hoffman; Valentino Yuel, Roy O'Donovan
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IN THE NEWS:
James Gardiner
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
