Henderson, 34, who spent five years playing in England with Leicester and Bradford before a 14-game stint with North Queensland Fury last season, has joined Newcastle on an injury waiver while Neil Young recovers from recent bowel surgery.

It is expected that Young will need several months before he is strong and fit enough to be considered for selection, which will give Henderson ample time to stake a claim.

Despite Kennedy's heroics in last year's play-off win against Gold Coast, Culina said the 22-year-old could not afford to put a foot wrong with Henderson waiting for an opportunity.

"He [Henderson] has put up a big challenge to Ben Kennedy, which is terrific to see," Culina said yesterday.

"I think we've got two quality goalkeepers, which is what we need, because at one stage last season when Neil Young got injured we were really relying on Ben to go all the way on his own . . .

"Ben has got the front position. There is no doubt about that.

"He's earned it. But I tell you what, Paul Henderson is not far behind at all."

Much maligned by Jets fans in the early stages of last season, Kennedy came of age in the final series, in particular in the penalty shoot-out against Gold Coast in Newcastle's opening play-off match.

Culina said the home-grown gloveman "held himself very well" in the big end-of-season games and would be a better player for the experience.

"If anything, he grew and matured enormously," he said.

Kennedy started Wednesday night's final pre-season trial against Rockdale City but was replaced after 51 minutes by Henderson.

The pair kept a clean sheet in Newcastle's 4-0 victory, which Culina said was satisfying considering the state of the pitch after torrential rain.

The coach said the Jets were as well prepared as they possibly could be for the season-opener against Adelaide at Hindmarsh Stadium next Friday night.