Berisha, the A-League's all-time leading scorer with 126 goals from 200 games, will make his 12^th appearance at Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium, and his first for new franchise Western United.

The 34-year-old Albanian has been prolific since his debut season with Brisbane Roar in 2011-12, but surprisingly no team has done a better job than the Jets in keeping him contained.

In 21 games against Newcastle, Berisha has scored six goals.

That tally is his lowest against any of the A-League's long-term teams, and his 28.6 per cent scoring strike rate against the Jets is less than half his career ratio in games against all other opponents (120 goals in 179 games, at 67 per cent).

And while Berisha has enjoyed a career highlight at McDonald Jones Stadium, helping Melbourne Victory win the 2017-18 grand final 1-0, it remains the one venue he has not dominated.

In 11 games on Newcastle's home turf, Berisha has scored only two goals. His 18 per cent strike rate is easily the lowest of his career at any venue. His last goal in Newcastle was for the Victory in a 2-all draw on November, 8, 2014. That was almost six-and-a-half games ago, or 582 minutes of playing time.

Last-placed Newcastle can only hope that trend continues on Saturday, although Berisha will arrive in ominous form.

In 14 games for Western United, he has 10 goals to his name. Only Sydney FC's Adam le Fondre (14) and Melbourne City's Jamie Maclaren (13) have found the net more regularly this season.

Berisha has scored doubles in Western's past two games, against Central Coast and Adelaide.

Despite concern about an ankle injury, he was named in the extended squad announced on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Lachlan Jackson's worst fears have been realised after scans revealed the injured Jets defender will need a season-ending knee reconstruction.

Jackson's left knee buckled awkwardly underneath him after attempting to block a cross in last week's 2-1 loss to Wellington.

The 24-year-old was helped from the field in obvious distress and had to wait until Monday to undergo scans. Specialists confirmed he had suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, as well tearing both his lateral meniscus and medial ligaments.

The recovery time frame after reconstructive surgery is usually a minimum of six months, which means Jackson should be a chance to return in Newcastle's trial matches before the start of next season.

Newcastle's squad named on Thursday included former Republic of Ireland international Wes Hoolahan, who has been cleared to make his A-League debut after suffering a pre-season ankle injury that required surgery.

The other new name on Newcastle's preliminary team sheet is former Brisbane Roar defender Connor O'Toole, who joined the Jets this week after a mid-season transfer.

A-League officials will monitor weather conditions amid reports of a likely heatwave.

But they were confident on Thursday that the temperature and humidity forecast for 5pm Saturday meant the match would proceed as scheduled, even if drinks breaks are required.