The oldest A-League local rivalry gives Newcastle a chance to maintain their grip on their top-two spot on the A-League ladder.

The Jets have lost just one of their previous seven home games and are 13 points ahead of their bitter rivals and head into the match favourites against the eighth-placed Central Coast.

Koutroumbis, 20, started the season as a squad player but has played eight of the past nine A-League games and scored two goals.

Ahead of tomorrow night’s #F3 derby, the right back says the Jets' performance against Sydney FC last week has given the home side a major boost.

“We are looking very good,” Koutroumbis said.

“The 2-2 draw against Sydney was a bit of disappointment because we held on for so long, but Ernie Merrick kept our heads high.

“He was pretty proud of our performance and made us think twice about how we played against Sydney especially with our team so depleted.

“So, around the training pitch and the club it’s been good energy leading into this game.”

Koutroumbis added that the home ground advantage would help the Jets.

 “The Central Coast game will be a very good game for us especially because it’s a derby,” he said.

“Home games are definitely good for us because we get to play in-front of our home crowd it always feels better on the park and always feels like the crowd is behind you.

“This week we’ve spoken about staying in the top two and we’ve even spoken about winning the championship.

“So, we have three crucial games at home coming up and hopefully we can get three points from all three of them.”

The game against the Mariners will see Jets captain Nigel Boogaard return from injury, Ivan Vujica back from suspension while fans will also get their first glimpse of Argentine import Patricio Rodriguez.

With several of his teammates coming back into Newcastle’s squad, it may mean a return to the bench for Koutroumbis, however the youngster is determined to fight for his position.

“If definitely feels great to play but with the injuries that we’ve had and the other players coming back from injury, I don’t really mind sitting on the sidelines,” he said.

“Obviously I prefer to start but the experienced players are waiting to come. It’s been nice to start and for the coach to have faith in me for how many rounds I’ve played, but I hope to work hard enough and I’ll keep my spot.”

Before signing his first professional contract with the Jets, Koutroumbis grew up in Adelaide and was part of the Reds' youth set up.

Now in his second season with Newcastle, the 20-year-old said he was full of the Novocastrian spirit.

“As a young boy you just have to train as hard as you can, play as well as you can and maybe opportunities will come,” he said.

“I’ve also realised that we’re one team no matter if we win or lose, I’m still part of it. This club is at my heart at the moment. I just want to win the title whether I play or don’t play.”