MAKIS Petratos, the youngest of the Jets football clan, could be set to make his A-League debut.
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With Panamanian striker Abdiel Arroyo troubled by a hamstring strain and long term injuries to Kaine Sheppard (foot) and Wes Hoolahan (ankle), the 19-year-old striker is certain to be in the squad for the season-opener against the Central Coast in Gosford in round two.
If Arroyo is ruled out, experienced utility Jason Hoffman is likely to the lead the line, with Makis back-up.
Middle Petratos brother Kosta, who played four games off the bench in the 2017-18 season, is also an option.
Sheppard suffered the injury when felled in the box by Sydney defender Ryan McGowan in the Jets' scoreless draw with the Sky Blues in a pre-season friendly.
Makis was the first striker used off the bench in their final competitive hit out against the Young Socceroos last weekend. Arroyo didn't feature in an intraclub game on Friday.
Kosta, 21, and 26-year-old Dimi, who is in camp with the Socceroos ahead of the away World Cup qualifier against Chinese Taipei on Tuesday night, have been on the pitch together in four A-League games.
Both were 17 when they made their debut - Kosta for Perth and Dimi in the Sky Blue of Sydney.
Makis, despite having to bide his time, has long been earmarked for the A-League.
He was a standout for the Jets youth team, scoring eight goals and setting up as many, in the Northern NSW National Premier League and was signed to a senior scholarship along with Jack Simmons and Noah James.
Pat Langlois, who has been upgraded from a scholarship to a senior contract this season, is also hoping to be involved against the Mariners in what would be his second appearance and maiden F3 derby.
The 19-year-old, who is highly regarded by coach Ernie Merrick, played mainly as a defensive midfielder during the pre-season, a role he also filled for the youth team last winter in the NPL.
"Being able to play as a defensive midfielder gives me a lot of flexibility," Langloius said. "I can drop into centreback or move wider to right back. It keeps my options open. Before the last NPL season I played predominantly as a centreback. It was good to get some experience back in the middle of the park. I needed some game time there. It was very valuable for me and set me up for a good pre-season with the first team."
A-League clubs are this season permitted to have seven players on the bench, including two under-23s.
"Being able to play more than one position gives me a better chance of being involved in match day," Langlois said. "My goal each week is to get on the field, I'm not too concerned what position I play."
Langlois, captain Nigel Boogaard and Steve Ugarkovic represented the Jets at the A-League season launch in Sydney on Tuesday where he rubbed shoulders with the league's biggest stars.
"That was very new to me and a great experience," he said. "I had never been a part of anything like that. To be around all the other more established players and get a bit of a taste of what they have gone through. It was great even just to meet some of the players and see the other side of off-field football. I got a lot out of it."
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