The two teams meet in Canberra on Saturday with McKinna's men looking to avoid a third straight loss against the Hunter outfit.

February's Grand Final reverse was followed by a 1-0 defeat in a trial game recently. Once Saturday's game is over, the two teams will square up again in the opening round of the A-League next month.

McKinna told au.fourfourtwo.com: "There's no points at stake in these matches with the Jets but it's still important to come away with positives.

"What I don't want is my players thinking that's three in a row against Newcastle and having that mindset going into the first match of the season.

"I'm looking for a good, positive performance from the boys and then we're into the Pre-Season Cup."

McKinna will hand Nik Mrdja a spot on the bench on Saturday with freshly re-signed Andre Gumprecht also part of the squad.

Dylan Macallister has shaken off a hamstring strain and is again available for selection after missing last Tuesday’s 3-0 triumph over the Northern Tigers at Mills Park.

The news is not so good for captain Alex Wilkinson, who will miss Saturday’s match with a knee injury that may yet sideline him for the beginning of the Pre-Season Cup.

Also absent for the Mariners will be Olyroos pair Nigel Boogaard and Matt Simon, who despite not being selected in Australia’s 18-man Beijing-bound squad, will continue to assist Graham Arnold’s charges with their preparations as standby squad members.