JETS coach Branko Culina faces a growing number of concerns as his side prepare to limp into the A-League semi-finals next weekend.
A three-match losing streak has the Jets low in confidence and high in injuries and looking down the barrel of a tough sudden-death play-off against the Gold Coast, Sydney, Wellington or Perth away from home.
Friday night's home match against Adelaide United is not a must-win in terms of semi-final qualification, yet the three points are vital for boosting positivity in the camp.
Striker Labinot Haliti will miss the Adelaide game through a one-match suspension after being sent off against the Central Coast, and Song Jin-hyung (hamstring), Jobe Wheelhouse (hip), Matt Thompson (hamstring), Sean Rooney (calf) and Neil Young (nose) are all in doubt for the match with injuries.
Culina said it would be difficult to decide if resting the wounded players was more beneficial than attempting to turn the club's form around before heading into the semi-finals with a near full-strength team.
"I think you're damned if you do, you're damned if you don't," Culina said.
"We want to get back on the winning track, but you also want to make sure you look after the players who are carrying injuries and are tired. So you've got to try and get the right balance.
"We've been playing some good football, but again we've been letting ourselves down when we lose concentration in vital stages."
Haliti's suspension has again opened an opportunity for youth league striker Mirjan Pavlovic to make his top-grade debut.
The 20-year-old was said to be close to playing against Brisbane Roar in January but was not named in the 15.
"We have to look at the right balance," Culina said.
"Obviously we have Sasho [Petrovski] there, but he's a bit similar to Bridgey [Michael Bridges]. Maybe we need someone like Mirjan Pavlovic for a bit of legs, but again until we get a bit closer to the game we don't know who will be available."
Culina said it had been the injury toll and Newcastle's lack of depth which had relegated the club from a possible top-two finish a month ago to be on the edge of the top six.
"A month ago we had a few more bodies to choose from, now we don't and that takes its toll on the players mentally and physically," he said.
"We've got a few players who are obviously feeling the pinch and won't be quite right so we might give them a break and bring in some fresh legs.
"We don't have a real big squad so whether they come from the youth team or existing players in the squad, there will be some new faces."
One player desperate not to be rested against the Reds is skipper Matt Thompson.
Thompson was benched at half-time against the Mariners due to his hamstring tear tightening during the first half.
The Jets medical staff will monitor the injury this week before deciding if Jets fans will get a chance to farewell Thompson in his final home match at EnergyAustralia Stadium before he joins Melbourne Heart.
"I definitely want to play on Friday and with a little physio this week hopefully I'll play 90 minutes in my last home game," Thompson said.
"If I can play 90 [minutes] that's great, but if I can do 80 or 70 I'll do the best I can."
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