Sainsbury ready for Heskey test

The 20-year-old will share the responsibility of marking the former England international in the F3 derby at Hunter Stadium, having slotted comfortably into the central defensive role vacated by departed skipper Alex Wilkinson.

Sainsbury turned in a man-of-the-match showing in Sunday's 1-0 A-League win over Perth Glory, a performance that on Wednesday led Jets coach Gary van Egmond to declare him a future national team player.

Only two-and-a-half years ago, Sainsbury arrived at Central Coast as a teenager tipping the scales at around 60kg.

He's since worked hard to bulk up by 15kg but the 178cm tall Sainsbury still gives up a fair advantage to the 188cm, 88kg Heskey.

Sainsbury admits he and experienced centre-back partner Patrick Zwaanswijk will have their hands full on Saturday but the youngster is relishing the chance to test himself against the English Premier League veteran.

"I never thought I'd be coming up against Emile Heskey of all players but it's going to be a good experience for me, a good learning experience," Sainsbury said.

"He's been in the top flight in England for so many years, it's going to be a terrific buzz for me to play against a player of that calibre.

"He's a big, strong boy, good in the air ... I'll have to be a lot more clever around him but if we can cut off the service in to him we can kill two birds with one stone."

The former Perth youth player said while he still had plenty to learn, he was relishing the chance to play consistent, first-team football and is keen to repay the faith shown in him by Mariners coach Graham Arnold.

"(Arnold) brought me here and I wasn't happy sitting on the bench but that was just my youthful exuberance," Sainsbury said.

"He said to me to bide my time and I've done that and got my chance now to really show what I can do.

"He's been waiting for me to step up into Wilko's shoes and I've just got to repay the favour."