Newcastle Jets coach Branko Culina is facing the prospect of having a depleted squad for the next month or so. The Jets will lose three of their first team players to the Australian U20 World Cup squad after Saturday's clash with Brisbane Roar and Culina is already dealing with injuries.
Ben Kantarovski, Jason Hoffman and Sean Rooney will all depart for Egypt and will be missing from the Jets line-up for about a month which will supply Culina with many headaches.
"I'm delighted that they're going, and I have no doubt that they'll enjoy the experience, but where can you find such quality players to replace them?," Culina said.
"Other teams have lost players but none have as many first teamers as we're losing.
"Life goes on, that's the price you pay for encouraging young players."