Central Coast striker John Aloisi was unable to complete training on Friday as a lingering knee injury continues to cause trouble ahead of Sunday's A-League return semi-final against Newcastle at Bluetongue Stadium.
Aloisi attributed the soreness in his knee to sitting around the airport on Thursday as he made his way home from Melbourne after playing in the Qantas Socceroos 3-0 win over Qatar.
The key Mariners striker said it was a precautionary step to leave the training field and he is confident of completing the team's final session on Saturday before starting the game on Sunday.
"It was a little bit stiff after sitting around the airport for quite a few hours," Aloisi said.
"We left our hotel in Melbourne at 11.30am and got home at quarter to eight at night so it stiffened up a bit. I'll rest today and I'm sure tomorrow will be all right and on Sunday I'll be flying.''
Aloisi has been hindered by a knee strain for the past six weeks.
The Mariners had Aloisi on a light training schedule but he said he had no problems with training seven days straight with the national team and then the 22 minutes he played for Australia against Qatar.
"I actually felt good all week," Aloisi said.
"I trained seven days straight, hard sessions. One session was over two hours and my knee felt really good, that was why I was a little bit surprised today that it stiffened up."
Coach Lawrie McKinna said all other players are fit for the game.
"For the first time all season we've actually got 18 boys available so it's good to have a bit of competition for spots."
Meanwhile, the Mariners have begun their recruiting for the 2008-09 Hyundai Al-League season with the two-year signing of Melbourne Victory midfielder Adrian Caceres.