JASON Hoffman feels that he owes the Jets after missing the business end of last A-League season with a foot injury.
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The previous campaign, the veteran, who switched between defence and attack, contributed six goals, highlighted by the winner against Melbourne City in the preliminary final.
Hoffman was halfway to that return in 2018-19 when he required surgery after round 18 and watched from the stands as the Jets failed to make the finals.
"To miss the back end of last season through injury was really hard, especially when we were in the hunt for the finals series," Hoffman said. "It was an awkward injury. I didn't do any major damage. It was a tendon not in the place it had to be. I was really disappointed at being injured. That hunger alone ... I feel I need to repay the club. I'm hungry to score goals and if I'm playing in the front third, that is exactly what I plan on doing."
Hoffman paid his first installment with a hat-trick in an intraclub trial in which the A-League squad thumped the youth team 6-1.
With last season's golden boot Roy O'Donovan now with Brisbane and marquee midfielder Ron Vargas released, unearthing goal-scorers will be the major focus in the pre-season.
"We are happy with the people that we have recruited," Hoffman said. "Matty Millar, Nick Fitzgerald and Abdiel Arroyo has arrived in plenty of time for the start of the new season... we feel like we have a very competitive squad. Dimi Petratos always pushes the boundaries, Kaine Shepherd is looking forward to a big season. Angus Thurgate really stood up at the end of last season.
"If you play in the front third, a good return is always to get in double digits. For myself, it's about working hard for the team and doing a job, whether it is creating or scoring goals. All the boys in the front third are capable of scoring goals."
Next for the Jets are NNSW NPL premiers Edgeworth at Jack McLaughlan Oval on Saturday.
Arroyo, who did testing on Friday, Nigel Boogaard and Glen Moss won't be involved.
The Eagles out-classed Darwin Olympic 3-0 in the FFA Cup round of 32 on Wednesday night.
They will use the clash against the Jets as a test run ahead of the next cup round and a likely assignment against an A-League club.
Veteran duo Daniel McBreen have groin niggles and will be rested.
"The young ones have shown that nerves won't get in their way," Edgeworth coach Damian Zane said. "Nothing changes for us. I never put restrictions on players. The things I do expect is to work hard defensively and cover for your teammate."
Edgeworth went down 5-1 to Western Sydney Wanderers in the FFA Cup round of 16 in 2016. Only a handful of players from that team remain and Zane said Saturday would give some of the younger players a preview.
"We find in the Cup, the first 15 minutes is the most dangerous for us," Zane said. "It takes a bit to get used to the increase in the tempo. This will be a good test, an eye-opener, for some of the younger boys."
