For the Newcastle Jets, Friday night's clash with Western Sydney Wanderers is a chance to bank three competition points, nothing more, nothing less.

Amid all the talk this week about the Jets' change in ownership, and the return of Wanderers coach Carl Robinson and striker Bernie Ibini to take on the club they controversially abandoned, Newcastle coach Craig Deans has reminded his troops to keep their eyes on the prize.

"The biggest thing for us is to stay focused, not be overly emotional about the situation in the game, and make sure we're professional and do the job and win the game,'' Deans said.

Robinson, who quit the Jets just 10 games into a three-year contract to sign a long-term deal with Wanderers, can expect a hostile reception on friday, albeit from a crowd reduced because of coronavirus restrictions.

But if the Welshman shapes as a likely pantomime villain - along with Ibini, who followed him to Western Sydney - there were no signs of ill will from Deans.

"That's the life of a coach," Deans said.

"The flip side is he could have been sacked two games, or five games, into this season, and nobody would feel sorry for him at all.

"You have to understand that a coach's lifespan is short and it's not an easy profession.

"He made the decision to leave the club, and that's his choice."

Likewise, Deans sees Ibini as just another opponent Newcastle need to contain.

"Players and coaches come and go," Deans said. "Our focus is winning the game."

Deans has steadfastly maintained for the past two months that uncertainty surrounding Jets owner Martin Lee, whose franchise licence was terminated on Monday after apparently refusing to pay the club's mounting debts, had not impacted on players.

"We don't talk about it as a group of players and staff, but it's obviously in the back of everyone's mind," he said.

"We don't need to worry about it any more, hopefully for the existence of the club ... we look forward to just playing football now."

The coach has challenged his players to toughen up after last week's 1-0 loss to Central Coast, admitting Newcastle were not physical enough.

The return from suspension of skipper Nigel Boogaard should help change that.

"We won't be pushed around and we won't be bullied, and we'll do everything we can to win the game," Deans promised.