FOUR games in 13 days will test the energy levels but Jets coach Craig Deans has no plans to offer the oldest player in his squad, veteran Nikolai Topor-Stanley, even a minute's rest.
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Topor-Stanley, the 36-year-old defender, has proven himself as one of the A-League's ultimate ironmen since kicking off his career with Sydney FC in 2006-07.
With 334 games for Sydney, Perth, Wanderers and Newcastle, Topor-Stanley is second on the all-time list behind Western United's Andrew Durante (348), and 98 of those appearances have been since the towering centre back rejoined the Jets at the start of 2017-18.
In his second stint with the club, Topor-Stanley has been on the pitch for every minute of every game, for three-and-a-half seasons.
And that is how he wants it to continue.
"There is no way he'll be entertaining the thought of missing a second of game time," Deans said.
"That's not in his nature ... he wants to play every minute of every game."
Newcastle's hectic schedule started when they lost 1-0 to Western United on Easter Monday, followed by a 2-1 defeat by Melbourne Victory on Saturday.
On Tuesday, they play host to Perth Glory in Port Macquarie, followed by Macarthur FC on Sunday.
Deans is likely to rotate some players in his squad over the next two games, but the presence of Topor-Stanley becomes even more important in the absence of defensive regulars Nigel Boogaard and Johnny Koutroumbis.
"Nikolai is at an age where he knows himself better than the physios or the coaches," Deans said.
"We manage his workload during short turnarounds like this. We're not oblivious to the fact we need to be careful with him.
"But he wants to play every minute of every game, so we'll look after him between each of these games.
"But he's going to want to do it, especially while Nigel and Johnny are not available.
"He's put his hand up big time in the last couple of weeks and his leadership - on the field and the stuff people don't see, at training - he's been exceptional."
Deans said he was "in awe" of Topor-Stanley's work ethic.
"He's unbelievable," Deans said.
"He trains to a high standard every day, he plays to a high standard every game.
"And he understands the importance of the team. He puts himself before the team, all the time."
The Jets travelled to Coffs Harbour on Monday and will be hoping the change of scenery prompts a change of fortunes.
Saturday's defeat was Newcastle's seventh in a row, a club-record losing streak, and to make matters worse they are now equal last with Victory, albeit with a better goal differential.
Like the Jets, 10th-placed Perth appear dead and buried in the finals race, but veterans Diego Castro and Bruno Fornaroli remain a threat to any team.
The Glory beat Newcastle 2-1 in Perth last month, after playing 55 minutes with only 10 men.
Veteran Jason Hoffman, who has played the past two games for Newcastle off the bench, is expected to win a promotion to the starting XI against Perth.
AAP reports: Wellington Phoenix's generation next combined to snatch a last-gasp 3-2 win over Western United on Sunday night, igniting their A-League finals hopes.
On just his second A-League start, Sam Sutton crossed for roommate Ben Waine's injury-time winner in Wollongong, giving the Phoenix their fifth win of the season.
As the game gathered pace in the second half, Western veteran Besart Berisha was heard in an effects microphone asking 19-year-old Sutton "who are you?"
"I think Besart will know who he is now," Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay said.