A-League soccer: Jets star Daniel Penha to return for last-round grudge match after copping two-game ban

Penha was sent off for a forearm to the back of the head of Mariners midfielder Harrison Steel during a melee in the dying stages of the Jets' controversial 4-2 loss to their fierce rivals at home on Saturday night.

It was the second red card in five games issued to the feisty Brazilian and it was feared the 23-year-old, who is on loan, may have played his final game for the club.

He will miss the trip to Macarthur on Sunday and the midweek visit by Western United, but will be available for the season finale and also an Australia Cup qualifier.

The bottom four teams will play off for two places in the national knockout competition, formerly known as the FFA Cup.

Last year, the qualifiers were held in the pre-season. The Jets suffered a drama-charged 2-1 defeat to Western United in Geelong.

This year, the qualifiers will be held on the same week as the semi-finals - May 12-15.

The Jets are currently in ninth spot on 25 points, ahead of Wanderers on goals scored. Brisbane are 11^th on 23 points.

The Jets are six points adrift of Sydney and would need to take at least seven points from the final three games and have other results go their way to climb to eighth.

Teams placed ninth and 10^th host the bottom two teams, with the winners progressing to the main draw.

Penha is also in contention for a place in the A-League All-Stars to play Barcelona at Accor Stadium on May 25. Each club, bar those involved in the grand final on May 28, are expected to contribute at least two players to the squad, which will be coached by former Manchester United superstar Dwight Yorke.

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In team news, Eli Babalj has a foot problem and is unlikely to play again this season.

Cameroon international Oliver Boumal aggravated a hamstring injury against the Mariners and could also sit out the final three games.

Rumours were rife on Wednesday that Gary van Egmond and Ian Crook were set to return to the club as part of an overhaul of the coaching structure and academy set up.

The Jets are yet to replace football manager Craig Deans who tendered his resignation last week.

Executive Chairman Shane Mattiske told the Herald on Tuesday that the Jets were "assessing the organisational structure of the football department for the medium-to-longer term."

Asked on Wednesday if van Egmond and Crook were in line for roles, Matiske said: "It is very early days and we are still working on the structure."

Van Egmond is currently an assistant coach at Western Sydney under Mark Rudan and Crook is the club's technical director and in charge of the academy.

Both have history with the Jets and have forged strong reputations for developing players.

Van Egmond led the Jets to their sole championship in 2008. His second stint in charge from 2011 to 2014 was less successful. However he did recruit and develop Adam Taggart, Josh Brillante and Mark Birighitti who went on to represent the Socceroos.

Since leaving the Jets, he has been been heavily involved in the national teams set-up, working as an assistant coach with the Matildas and Olyroos and coaching the Young Socceroos. He also has a firm understanding of the grass roots scene through his roles with Northern NSW and NSW Football.

Crook coached Newcaslte United, before they became the Jets, to a preliminary final in the old National League. He was at the helm of Sydney FC in the A-League in 2012 and since arriving at Wanderers has developed their academy into arguably the best in the country.

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