Ernie Merrick has named his first playing squad for the Hyundai A-League 2018/19 season as the Jets prepare for a trip to Wellington to face the Phoenix.

The squad sees the potential for a number of new faces to make their A-League debut for the Club, with Jair, Mitch Austin, Kaine Sheppard and Matt Ridenton all included.

5 THINGS: What you need to know for our trip across the ditch

W-LEAGUE: Eckerstrom back for 2018/19

Joe Champness remains sidelined with a foot injury and Angus Thurgate is unavailable due to selection in the Young Socceroos squad currently in Indonesia for the AFC U-19 Championships.

Mitch Austin in action during the pre-season

Roy O’Donovan’s suspension continues with the Irishman still unavailable for selection for 8 games.

Johnny Koutroumbis begins recovery after surgery to remove his thyroid on Monday, following his recent cancer diagnosis. The Club will provide updates as to his progress over the coming weeks.

Jair in his first pre-season appearance for the Jets

Newcastle Jets Round 1 squad v Wellington Phoenix:

1.Glen MOSS (gk), 3.Jason HOFFMAN, 4.Nigel BOOGAARD (c), 5.Ben KANTAROVSKI, 6.Steven UGARKOVIC, 7.Dimi PETRATOS, 8.Jair, 10.Ronald VARGAS, 11.Mitch AUSTIN, 13.Ivan VUJICA, 14.Kaine SHEPPARD, 16.Nick COWBURN, 17.Daniel GEORGIEVSKI, 20.Lewis ITALIANO (gk), 22.Lachlan JACKSON, 23.Matthew RIDENTON, 28.Patrick LANGLOIS, 44.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY

**two to be omitted**

Unavailable: 9.Roy O’DONOVAN (suspension – 8 rounds), 18.Johnny KOUTROUMBIS (illness – TBC), 24.Joe CHAMPNESS (foot – TBC), 32.Angus THURGATE (national duty)

The Jets kick-off their Hyundai A-League 2018/19 campaign away to Wellington Phoenix on Sunday, October 21st at Westpac Stadium. Kick-off is at 3pm (ADST), with the match broadcast live on Fox Sports and the MyFootball App.