VIDEO: Muscat primed for Jets clash

Fresh from news of his contract extension, Kevin Muscat says his side must improve to claim all three points against Newcastle this Saturday night.

The club announced Muscat’s three-season contract extension on Boxing Day, meaning the gaffer will be in charge of the club until the end of the 2017/18 season.

Speaking after Victory’s final training session on Friday morning, Muscat said he was delighted with the news.

“Without doubt, it helps planning going forward. We’ve tried to make decisions for the long term,” Muscat said.

“That’s the great positive about our club, there’s been stability at the board level for a number of years now and for that to continue through to the football department it does give you a great deal of confidence.

“There’s an element of wanting to repay the faith that’s been shown in me.”

Ahead of Saturday’s game, Muscat confirmed midfielder Gui Finkler would return to the starting XI at AAMI Park.

“It’s an important game for us,” he said.

“We haven’t returned the number of points we wanted to in the last couple of games and we want to atone for that.

“You can’t rest on your laurels, we’re not about to do that.

“We’ve gone 12 games, we’ve lost one. We haven’t been pleased with our performances. We need a reaction within the performance and how we go about playing.”

Meanwhile, Muscat has named his squad for Saturday’s clash against Newcastle.

Melbourne Victory v Newcastle Jets
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-Off: 7:30 PM AEDT
Referee: Ben Williams
Assistant Referee 1: Matthew Cream
Assistant Referee 2: Paul Cetrangolo
Fourth Official: Patrick Chaplin

TV Broadcast: Live and exclusive coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 7.00pm (AEDT)

Radio Broadcast: 774 ABC Melbourne, 1116 SEN

Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Nathan COE (GK), 2. Jason GERIA, 4. Nick ANSELL, 6.Leigh BROXHAM (C), 7. Gui FINKLER, 8.Besart BERISHA, 9. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10.Archie THOMPSON, 11. Connor PAIN, 13. Andrew NABBOUT, 14.Fahid BEN KHALFALLAH, 16.Rashid MAHAZI, 18. Dylan MURNANE, 20.Lawrence THOMAS (GK), 21.Carl VALERI, 22.Jesse MAKAROUNAS, 23.Adrian LEIJER, 24. Scott GALLOWAY.

**two to be omitted**

Ins: 13. Andrew NABBOUT (promoted), 24. Scott GALLOWAY (returns from injury)

Outs: nil

Unavailable: 5. Mark MILLIGAN (suspension – 2 matches) 15. Daniel GEORGIEVSKI (ankle – 1 week), 17. Matthieu DELPIERRE (foot – tbc)