Boogaard is yet to play in any of Newcastle's pre-season games after off-season knee surgery, while Topor-Stanley has been sidelined since picking up a calf strain in last month's 3-2 FFA Cup win against Melbourne Victory.

Jets coach Ernie Merrick said Boogaard had been training strongly and will visit his specialist next week, hoping to receive a clearance to resume playing.

But he is unlikely to line up against his former club, with whom he won the inaugural FFA Cup after a 1-0 victory against Perth in the final in 2014.

"I don't think Nigel will be fit enough, so I'm pretty sure he won't be part of the FFA Cup game," Merrick said.

"Nikolai joined in the full training session this morning, so he'll be available, and [goalkeeper] Glen Moss did a full session, too, so he's looking good as well. So at the moment it looks like Nigel is the only one who won't be available."

Despite Boogaard's surgery and a virus he suffered on the Jets' week-long trip to the Gold Coast, Lismore and Coffs Harbour, which incorporated games against Brisbane Roar and Perth, Merrick said "he's looking fit and very lean".

"He hasn't been doing football-specific training, but he's certainly been doing the running and shuttles," Merrick said.

"And at his age, I'm happy to modify his program to get the best out of him. You don't expect players who are 32 or 33 to do as much running as a 22-year-old."

Experienced Ben Kantarovski, more renowned as a defensive midfielder, is likely to partner Topor-Stanley in Boogaard's absence.

Kantarovski returned from a groin strain in the trial win against Perth and Merrick said the 27-year-old acquitted himself against a Glory strike force spearheaded by the dangerous Bruno Fornaroli.

"Steve Ugarkovic and Matt Ridenton have been holding the midfield really well, so Ben played centre back for a full game alongside Johnny Koutroumbis, and the two of them were superb, really," Merrick said.

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