In another seemingly endless run of obstacles, the Jets will be without captain Nigel Boogaard for the season opener against arch rivals Central Coast in Gosford on Thursday night.

Boogaard sits out the match due to a suspension carried over from last season.

The central defender picked up a yellow card for a challenge on Ulises Davila in a 3-0 win over Wellington in the final round.

The booking was his eighth for the campaign which incurred a one-game suspension. With no FFA Cup fixtures in which to serve the ban, the FFA confirmed on Tuesday that the skipper will miss the F3 derby.

It is another dilemma for interim coach Craig Deans, who is already short on defenders after injuries to Johnny Koutorumbis (ankle) and Ben Kantarovski (leg).

"It's part and parcel of professional football," said Topor-Stanley, who will lead the Jets in Boogaard's absence. "You have to adapt. Nothing is ever scripted, especially in a year like we have had in 2020. We will have to adapt or suffer the consequences."

The Jets have been mired in uncertainty.

In October coach Carl Robinson and assistant Kenny Miller terminated long-term deals to join Western Sydney. They have since been joined by Bernie Ibini after the disgruntled striker bought out the final six months of his contract.

A much-needed takeover of the club collapsed earlier this month. With it went the appointment of a new coach, leaving Deans to pick up the pieces.

Amid all the drama, the playing group have largely remained positive.

"We have no option but to block it out," Topor-Stanley said.

READ MORE: JETS MIDFIELDER FACE NERVOUS WAIT

READ MORE: ROY BACKS JETS TO PROVE DOUBTERS WRONG

READ MORE: UNHAPPY JET VOWS TO GIVE HIS BEST

READ MORE: DUNCAN YEARNS FOR SUCCESS, UGARKOVIC YEARNS FOR EXIT

"Football and careers are going to be riddled with challenges like this.

"You can either by into it and let yourself get distracted by it or overcome it as a team.

"We have a strong group in terms of mentality. We have dealt with a lot of negativity. This region has dealt with a lot of negativity. We just have to do it. It's sink or swim for us."

An under strength and underdone Jets went down to the Mariners 2-0 in their opening pre-season hit out in November.

"We will try and learn what we can from that game but it was six games ago now," Topor-Stanley said. "We have come a long way and I'm sure they have.

"It takes time to develop systems, nuances. You need time to make mistakes and to learn from those mistakes. I think we have had that and there will be no excuses come game day.

"It's a derby. We want to win. It is also a chance to put a stamp on how we want to play and get off on the winning foot.

"You have to hit the ground running in this league. If you do, in my experience, you finish on the right side of the table."

The Jets have played almost exclusively with three central defenders and two wingbacks but with Boogaard and Koutroumbis out and little back-up, they are likely to revert to a back four.

"An A-League game is always a challenge," Topor-Stanley said. "You only need to give teams one or two opportunities and you get punished for it.

"We have to give them nothing and we have to take our chances. We have to be ruthless, ortherwise it is a toss of the coin."

Meanwhile, former jets defender Taylor Regan has signed with Malaysian second division club Sarwak United.

For faster access to the latest Newcastle news download our NEWCASTLE HERALD APP and sign up for breaking news, sport and what's on sent directly to your email.

IN THE NEWS: