NEWCASTLE Jets chief executive Lawrie McKinna is happy in principle with the club's A-League draw for the 2019-20 season and will thrash out a few minor issues in a telephone hook-up with Football Federation Australia on Wednesday.
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The introduction of Melbourne club Western United has increased the number of teams in the competition to 11 and forced a change to the format.
The Herald understands that the Jets will have a bye in the first round and open their campaign away to arch rivals Central Coast in round two.
Unlike the three-round set-up used during the past eight seasons, the Jets will play six clubs three times and four clubs twice.
They will host 13 games at McDonald Jones Stadium, although one of those may be moved to a regional city, and play 13 away from home.
"It is a good draw we have got but it is not final yet," McKinna said. "There is a good spread of games over Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I have a phone hook-up with FFA tomorrow to go over a few details."
Jets coach Ernie Merrick was highly critical of the draw the Jets received last year, in particular the clustering of home and away games.
They opened the season with two away games, followed by two at home. In a period from January 6 to February 1 they were on the road for five out of six games.
"That won't be the case this season," McKinna said. "We are home-away-home-away all the way through to February. Then I think we have consecutive home games."
Time slots for the games, especially Saturday, are yet to be determined.
However, given that Jets games traditionally haven't rated well on broadcast rights holders Fox Sports, they are likely to receive a number of late afternoon fixtures. Especially with new franchise Western United expected to to generate interest.
Meanwhile, Jets' Panamanian import Abdiel Arroyo is set to arrive in Newcastle on Thursday and could make his debut against Wanderers in a friendly behind closed doors in Sydney next Wednesday.
The 25-year-old striker has been training with his club Arabe Unido since completing commitments with the Panama national team in the CONCACAF Gold Cup where they crashed out in the quarter-finals.
"He leaves Panama Tuesday morning their time," McKinna said. "It's good to get him in early. He will undergo medicals and testing on Friday and he might be available for the bench against Wanderers."
