O'Donovan is available for Sunday's away derby with his former club Central Coast, after serving out a ten-match ban for his kick on Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas late in the 2018 grand final.

The 33-year-old forward copped an eight-week ban in 2016 for headbutting while he was a Mariners player.

Merrick has plenty of striking options but would have no hesitation in starting O'Donovan, though his lack of match play would suggest a bench spot is more likely.

Adding spice is O'Donovan's return is set to come at the home ground of his last club, for who he topscored in each of his two seasons in Gosford.

"Roy knows the (Mariners) fans will be into him, but that's all part of the sport, but he thrives on that sort of stress and pressure," Merrick said.

"Regarding his style of game, I'll make sure he doesn't change the way he plays.

"He's an honest, hard-working, fair, tough striker.

"I think Roy will need to have mental strength in the game because he isn't really match-fit up to A-League standard.

"The expectation on him is extremely high, he'll be trying his very best.

"He'll be keeping an eye on the referee to make sure he doesn't get a yellow or red card.

"There will be a lot going through his mind, but out of all of the players he's the one that can cope with it."

Merrick refuses to take the last-placed Mariners lightly, even though they have lost six straight since drawing their first two.

"The Mariners are no easy team to push over," Merrick said.

"I know that they haven't had good results, but they've still got some good quality players, so it will be a tough match down there."

Former Newcastle favourite Andrew Nabbout has been working with the Jets this week to stay fit for the imminent Asian Cup finals now that his Japanese club have finished their domestic campaign.

Australian Associated Press