EXCLUSIVE: Jade North is desperately trying to bulk up on muscle mass as he searches for an edge over strikers - and keep his place in the Socceroos squad.
To see the Socceroos training in Dubai...
Newcastle Jets coach Gary van Egmond has revealed to au.fourfourtwo.com that his captain has been encouraged to hit the gym over recent months to add some extra body armour.
North has made a big impression on Pim Verbeek and is keen to pursue every avenue in order to keep the green and gold shirt.
Van Egmond said: “Jade has been working extra hard on his physicality. He’s been getting himself in the Fabio Cannavaro-type mould, putting in a lot of time with the weights. He needs to be bigger and it should help make him more explosive with the muscle he puts on.
“I think he’s been caught between two positions in terms of how he prepares himself until recently. A right-back is generally different in size and strength to a central defender.
“But he’s got the break he wanted under Pim and I’m sure he’ll want to build now on the opportunities he’s had.”
The more a bulked-up North impresses for his country then the harder it is for the Jets to hold on to their captain.
Van Egmond said: “Jade has said he wants to look overseas. To be honest I welcome players with ambition. If you don’t have ambition in football then what does that say about your mental strength?
“I don’t see anything derogatory in what he’s said at all. All I know is that while he is the captain of Newcastle he will lead by example and give 100 per cent to the cause.”
If North retains his place for the Socceroos return clash with Iraq in Dubai, van Egmond has som simple advice for his skipper, fellow central defender Michael Beauchamp and the rest of the team.
“Keeping possession will be so important in that heat. The last thing you want is to be chasing people all over the pitch. Still, Jade played a lot of his football in Queensland so he does have experience of playing in hot conditions.
“I don’t know how Pim will view the system for this match though. It’s Iraq’s last hurrah if you like. I think it will be a case of looking at the conditions over there and saying it’s horses for courses," he said.
Van Egmond added Kaz Patafta to his squad this week but is still no clearer where Ljubo Milicevic will be coming to EnergyAustralia Stadium.
He said: “We are trying to get hold of him. You never say never.”
To see the Socceroos training in Dubai...
Newcastle Jets coach Gary van Egmond has revealed to au.fourfourtwo.com that his captain has been encouraged to hit the gym over recent months to add some extra body armour.
North has made a big impression on Pim Verbeek and is keen to pursue every avenue in order to keep the green and gold shirt.
Van Egmond said: “Jade has been working extra hard on his physicality. He’s been getting himself in the Fabio Cannavaro-type mould, putting in a lot of time with the weights. He needs to be bigger and it should help make him more explosive with the muscle he puts on.
“I think he’s been caught between two positions in terms of how he prepares himself until recently. A right-back is generally different in size and strength to a central defender.
“But he’s got the break he wanted under Pim and I’m sure he’ll want to build now on the opportunities he’s had.”
The more a bulked-up North impresses for his country then the harder it is for the Jets to hold on to their captain.
Van Egmond said: “Jade has said he wants to look overseas. To be honest I welcome players with ambition. If you don’t have ambition in football then what does that say about your mental strength?
“I don’t see anything derogatory in what he’s said at all. All I know is that while he is the captain of Newcastle he will lead by example and give 100 per cent to the cause.”
If North retains his place for the Socceroos return clash with Iraq in Dubai, van Egmond has som simple advice for his skipper, fellow central defender Michael Beauchamp and the rest of the team.
“Keeping possession will be so important in that heat. The last thing you want is to be chasing people all over the pitch. Still, Jade played a lot of his football in Queensland so he does have experience of playing in hot conditions.
“I don’t know how Pim will view the system for this match though. It’s Iraq’s last hurrah if you like. I think it will be a case of looking at the conditions over there and saying it’s horses for courses," he said.
Van Egmond added Kaz Patafta to his squad this week but is still no clearer where Ljubo Milicevic will be coming to EnergyAustralia Stadium.
He said: “We are trying to get hold of him. You never say never.”
To see the Socceroos training in Dubai...
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