They are the type of challenges that Jets defender Johnny Koutroumbis relishes.

In the past two games, the Jets have held Brisbane and Melbourne City to nil.

"I don't like to shy away from a challenge," Koutroumbis said. "I have had quite a few challenges at the Jets. We played against Kashima Antlers [in an Asian Champions League qualifier] and I lined up against their winger [Hiroki Abe).

"He has gone on to better things [at Barcelona]. It was a great challenge and an eye opener.

"It is always exciting to play against players who are really good and high in stature.

"Macmanaman, you have to respect him. He has played in one of the best leagues in the world. "

Macmanaman, who played 20 games for Sunderland in the EPL, returns against the Jets after missing four games with an ankle injury.

He could be joined in the starting side by another blue-chip recruit with experience in the EPL, Rudy Gestede.

The French striker played 30 minutes off the bench, replacing Socceroo Robbie Kruse, in the 2-0 loss to Western Sydney - Gestede's return match from a torn hamstring.

As he does before every match, Koutroumbis will do his "homework".

"At training, we analyse the game - how they play, how they play out, how they press and stuff like that. That is standard," he said.

"I also watch games at home - some of Victory's more recent games - and look at individuals, see how they play and do some homework."

As well as analysis, Koutroumbis has been working closely with Jets coach Craig Deans, a former national league defender with the Jets, Carlton and Perth Glory.

"Johnny is playing in a position that I understand very well," Deans said. "The downside for him is that, at times, he is going to cop it maybe more than other people.

"The benefit for him is that he is getting the experience I can pass on to him.

"He has everything you want in a modern day centreback - he is fast, his one-v-one defending is very good, he is calm on the ball, his passing has improved a lot in the past 12 months and he is starting to talk a bit more and take some leadership.

"That is the next big step for him. Nigel Boogaard and Nikolai Topor-Stanley are getting older and they are good people to learn from.

"Johnny is doing really well. The last two games in particular he has played very, very well."

The Jets' trip to Melbourne had been in doubt due to the COVID outbreak in Victoria.

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The lockdown ended at 11.59pm on Wednesday and although border restrictions have forced the postponement of some games, the Victory-Jets match will proceed as scheduled.

Five of the six postponed fixtures involve Melbourne teams facing interstate opposition with travellers from Victoria facing varying border restrictions.

Melbourne City will no longer travel to face Perth Glory on Saturday. Adelaide's home game against Western United on January 24 has been postponed, along with the Reds' away clash with Victory on February 27.

Adelaide will instead travel to Bankwest Stadium to play Western Sydney on February 27, with the Wanderers' original game against Central Coast postponed.

Melbourne City will no longer host Brisbane on February 27, while Western United won't travel to play the Glory in Perth.

Instead, that night will see Victory host Western United.

City will play their rescheduled away game against Western Sydney on March 2.

Perth, who are currently in home quarantine, will return to action when they host Brisbane Roar on February 26, before playing the Mariners at home on March 2.

City's game against Sydney on February 17 and Victory's game against Wellington on February 18 had already been pushed back to the 23rd and 24th respectively.

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