Newcastle Jets left-back Adam D'Apuzzo has missed the past three A-League games with an ankle injury but is keen to get back on the pitch as the Hunter club strive for finals action.

D'Apuzzo says he is prepared to play through the pain barrier in Sunday's must-win match against the Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium and hopes to give his all if he can pass a fitness test today.

"It's still giving me a bit of grief, but what do you do?" D'Apuzzo said yesterday.

"There's only five games to go and I want to contribute as much as I can.

"It's just a shame that the game is away in Wellington so I can't give it until the last minute.

"I'll have to give it a good hit-out tomorrow and see how we go."

As it stands, the Jets sit in eighth place on the A-League table, a point behind the Phoenix with a game in hand and two points behind sixth-placed Melbourne Heart but with two games in hand. This indicates that they are in the box seat as they have the games to gain the points required but they are coming off two losses meaning their form is presumably not at its best to push for a finals spot.