Striker Vargas joined the Jets last month from Greek side AEK Athens. The 30-year old has 22 caps for Venezuela and has spent most of his career playing in European in the Belgian, Turkish and Greek leagues.

Okon revealed he has watched Vargas’ career closely for years after the forward joined Club Brugge back in 2008. The forward scored 22 goals in 71 appearances in a three-year spell for the Blue-Blacks.

Okon had five successful years at Club Brugge in the 1990s where he won a number of individual and team trophies.

The Central Coast boss is wary of what Vargas and the Jets other attackers could do in their A-League season opener.

"We've seen footage of Vargas and I know him personally because he started his European career at Club Brugge, so I've followed him and know what sort of a player he is," Okon said.

"If he does start, he's certainly a big threat and I'm sure he'll be a very, very important player for Newcastle this season. They're [the Jets] certainly very threatening in the final third. Andrew Nabbout had a good season last year.

"Obviously Roy [O'Donovan] leaving us and joining the Jets, Roy's a real threat in front of goal. We saw that over the past two seasons - he can score goals. Dimi Petratos is back in the A-League."

Okon said he and his team can't wait for the A-League season to start. The 45-year old plans to show some footage of past F3 derbies to the likes of Tom Hiariej, Wout Brama, Asdrubal and Alan Baro to prepare them for the contest.

"Everyone’s excited," he said.

"It’s traditionally a long pre-season and we’re at that point where everyone wants to kick that first ball. The fact it’s a derby just makes it extra special for us. We have spoken about it during the week.

"Most of those players are used to playing in derbies in their respective countries. On match day we used a little three minute video of some footage of previous derbies and what it means to the Mariners. We plan to do that tomorrow."

Okon confirmed that he has yet to let his team know who will be in goals in the frst game, with the competition between Tom Glover and Ben Kennedy.

"(Saturday) the players will find out," he said.

"We’re ready, we’ve pushed each other in pre-season, we’ve got competition for places, we’re really confident about where we sit leading into this game."