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Central Coast Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna has conceded it will be tough for anyone to stop Adelaide United winning the A League Minor Premiership but says second spot is up for grabs.
Speaking ahead of his side's derby clash with Newcastle Jets on Friday, McKinna said United's one-point
lead with two games in hand will be hard to claw back but believes his side can claim second spot.
The fourth-placed Mariners missed the chance to move up to second last week after losing to Wellington Phoenix but McKinna is hopeful that result was only an aberration
"Wellington have been something of a bogey team for us this season and we have only taken one point off them this season," McKinna said.
"It is going to be hard to get top spot off Adelaide with their two games in hand, but second spot is still up for grabs so there is plenty to play for.
"Melbourne have dropped off, Sydney has lost two in a row and we are still in there fighting with Queensland for second."
The Mariners boss is also wary of a Newcastle side who, despite sitting at the foot of the table, beat Melbourne 4-2 last Friday and is fully anticipating a strong showing from the Jets in front of their home crowd at Energy Australia Stadium.
"Newcastle will be buzzing, you don't score four goals against Melbourne often so it was a great result, but form goes out of the window in derby games."
McKinna has no fresh injury concerns for the short trip up the F3 and Mariners central defender Alex Wilkinson will make his 100th appearance for the club.
Newcastle will bid farewell to skipper Jade North after the Socceroos defender agreed a big-money move to K League side Incheon United.
North conceded earlier this week there would be mixed emotions at the end of Friday's game.
"I wasn't expecting it and now it's come up it's a hard time to leave," North said.
"The club is starting to do really well but that's just football and players come and go.
"I've been involved in teams where players come and go and now it's my turn to leave."
Jets boss Gary Van Egmond is likely to stick with the side that beat Melbourne last week, although Jobe Wheelhouse is back from suspension and in contention for a starting spot.
Young midfielder James Holland is unavailable after agreeing terms with AZ Alkmaar in Holland after a successful trial with the Dutch side.
- AAP