Petratos missed last week’s 2-2 draw to Melbourne City after receiving a message from his wife Samantha that she was going into labour on the eve of the match.

The 25-year-old left Melbourne to see his family in Sydney and eventually got to see his new son Vangeli Gabriel.

The coaching staff were supportive of Petratos’ decision as there was a sense of deja vu with Wayne Brown, who left for the airport away to Brisbane Roar at half-time last year after receiving a call that his wife was in labour.

And Petratos still considered coming back to play against City, but time was against him.

“They were happy for me to get back, if he was born a little bit earlier, I would’ve tried to make it back for the game, but it was a bit delayed,” Petratos said on Wednesday.

 

🙏👶😍 Vangeli Gabriel Petratos

A post shared by Dimi Petratos (@dimi_ss) on

“Everyone’s doing well at home. The baby is doing well and the wife is doing well. I’m doing well and I’m happy.

“I got the call at 1am. She said ‘I’m going to the hospital’ and I said ‘alright, I’ll get on the next flight. I’ll speak to the coaches’.

“I watched the game on my phone, I live-streamed it. I thought we did well… and was a good point.”

Newcastle are currently sitting pretty at second-place on the table and have the chance to maintain it against Melbourne Victory at home on Saturday.

Petratos has been touted as a potential smoky for the Socceroos’ World Cup squad along with Riley McGree, Daniel Arzani, Daniel De Silva and Josh Brillante.

Newly appointed Socceroos boss Bert van Marwijk will address the media for the first time this week and reports suggest he could be keeping a close eye on games domestically this weekend.

The 25-year-old has starred for Newcastle, scoring seven goals in 17 games this season.               

Petratos said he feels re-energised after missing the game last week, however is adamant the Socceroos are not on his mind going into the Victory game.

“I’ll just stick to what I do, it’s just another game for me,” he said.

“To be honest I’m just going to focus on what I can do. The selection is up to the Aussie coach and whatever happens, happens. My focus is at the Jets now.

“I always look to improve as every game goes and to reach the peak at the end of the season.”