Zadkovich keen to return against Roar

Newcastle Jets defender Ruben Zadkovich is determined to play in Saturday’s crucial A-League match against the Brisbane Roar.

Zadkovich was forced to watch on last weekend after being suspended for picking up his eighth yellow card of the season in the 3-1 win over Melbourne Victory the previous week.

But Zadkovich said after a vigorous training session on Tuesday that he was keen to help his side push for a finals berth with two rounds remaining.

“It wasn’t much fun (watching from the sidelines) and the result wasn’t too crash hot either,” Zadkovich said of the frustrating 1-1 draw with the Gold Coast.

“The boys didn’t play as well as they can on the weekend so we are all looking to try to pick it up this weekend.”

“I am champing at the bit. They (Brisbane) are pretty much the benchmark of football in the A-League so it will be good to prove ourselves against them at home in front of our home fans and members.”

Zadkovich said that the Jets would take great confidence from beating the Roar in Brisbane just over a month ago and wouldn’t let the pressure of potentially missing out on the finals bother them.

“We have a pretty good record against them, we beat them last time we played up there and it would be good to do that again down here,” he said.

“The mood (at training) has been really positive. We are in a good position at the moment. It is in our own hands.”

Meanwhile, Gold Coast United caretaker coach Mike Mulvey is clinging to hope that Ben Halloran has not played his last game for the club.

Mulvey confirmed the 19-year-old’s hip injury will keep him out for the club’s final two matches, at home to Perth on Sunday and then Brisbane the following week.

Halloran has been a shining light for the wooden spoon certainties, scoring four times – including a goal-of-the-season contender against Central Coast last month – in what has been a breakthrough campaign for him.

“It’s a shame,” Mulvey said at training on Tuesday.

“I would say that his form along with James Brown earlier in the season was the reason why we were performing well.”

“We will certainly miss his thrust, without a doubt.”

The Cairns-born youngster has one year left on his deal with Gold Coast, but following the removal of Clive Palmer’s licence to own the club it is unclear if the club will be around to honour his contract.

If United meet their demise at the end of the season, Halloran will become one of the hottest properties in the A-League transfer market.

A handful of clubs have already made inquiries as to his availability, while Sportal understands there is interest from overseas in the talented forward.

But Mulvey, who nurtured Halloran for two years in the National Youth League before making his first-team debut last season, believes the starlet should ‘keep his powder dry’.

“Ben’s got an awful lot to learn,” the developmental guru said.

“He needs to learn how to protect himself a bit better on the field. He copped a blow against Melbourne Victory which led to this injury.”

“My advice to him is very, very clear – I believe in this club and I believe there’s a good chance this club will survive.”

“There’s a glimmer of hope. I told him, don’t go anywhere, because it doesn’t matter who says they want you.”

“I know everyone will want him because he proved the goods this year. All things being equal, he will be with us next year.”