The Newcastle Jets have been dealt a massive blow on the eve of their crucial F3 derby against the Central Coast Mariners with captain Matt Thompson, midfielder Jobe Wheelhouse and striker Sean Rooney all ruled out due to injury.
The loss of their inspirational skipper Thompson, who has been in sparkling form for the Jets, and in-form midfielder Wheelhouse, is potentially catastrophic as the Jets chase fourth spot on the Hyundai A-League ladder and the home final that comes with it.
Newcastle coach Branko Culina took the news in his stride saying the side had plenty of depth and would cope with the losses.
"(Thompson's) been playing under stress for a little while but it just took its toll and the conditions on Tuesday night (against North Queensland Fury) didn't help," the coach said.
"But no-one thought we could go and win two, three and four games in a row and we're still the only team to have done that. So there's a hell of a lot of good things about this team."
"This team won't let Newcastle down, it won't let you down, it won't let me down and importantly they won't let themselves down."
The injuries open the door for midfielders Ali Abbas and Kaz Patafta to show their wares, while veteran striker Sasho Petrovski has been included in the squad for Saturday night's match against his former club in Gosford.
Newcastle did have some good news on Friday however, announcing it had re-signed goalkeeper Neil Young for another year.
The Perth-born 30-year-old shot-stopper, who joined the club at the start of this season, worked his way into the starting team, before being sidelined with facial injuries after a collision with striker Gold Coast striker Shane Smeltz, three weeks ago.
"It's great," Young said of his new contract. "I couldn't be happier, I can finally bring the family over, settle down and call Newcastle home."