The round of 16 match has the Jets on the precipice of an extraordinary turnaround - from wooden spoon in the A-League to ACL quarter-finalists. 

Milicevic, 28, says with the likely new defensive pairing and a return of some key players holds the Jets in good stead in this crucial clash at the Steelyard in Pohang, where the weather is tipped to be 29 degrees on Wednesday.

And he brushed aside worries his loss and that of fellow central defensive bulwark Nikolai Topor Stanley will weaken the Jets.

"It's not a concern. It's not just up to two players to defend. I'm sure if Jobe [Wheelhouse] comes in to partner Ange [Costanzo] they'll have more than enough of I guess a physical presence and I don't think they [Pohang] have as much height as what Ulsan did," he told au.fourfourtwo.com.

"I don't think it'll be a major issue. The boys have looked good in training. There are a few boys coming back from injury who played recently like Donny de Groot and Song and even Fabio [Vignaroli] who is expected to play a full game.

 "There's no reason why we can't progress."

The return of pint-sized playmaker Song is a huge bonus for the side that looks strong in the forward third.

"From what I've seen - and I didn't see much of the A-League last season - in training is firstly he's a great guy and secondly, he looks to be a really talented footballer," Milicevic said of the South Korean youth international.

"And if Kaz [Patafta] gets to play, it's important that these guys step up. They're in a position where I guess they're fighting for first 11 spots and the team need them to be doing well."

The former Socceroo added that the loss last week against Sydney Olympic in a midweek friendly at Belmore was similar to FA Cup matches, "where teams are knocked out all the team against teams in lower divisions".

"Maybe their minds were not on their jobs last week," he added. "But you don't go from being one game away from qualifying for the ACL quarter finals to a shit team in one week."

The Jets clash has not received as much coverage as you'd expect. Largely, that's been due to the coverage of the Tim Cahill sage and subsequent reportage which has dominated the press over the last few days.

Milicevic said the coverage was over the top, describing the reporting as a "joke".  "At the end of the day, the worst thing the guy did was - and I'm going by all the reports as I wasn't there - want a couple more drinks on a night out with the boys.

"And that deserves back page front page coverage in Sydney? It's a bit of a joke, really. It's damning about the media's focus. A trivial incident."

As for Milicevic's focus for next season, it's still unclear. A move overseas is still possible given the August transfer deadline in Europe.

However, the defender is expected to be over his groin injury and ready for the start of pre-season on July 6 in Newcastle.