Nick Fitzgerald hopes to provide the spark that not only ignites his budding A-League career but also Brisbane’s charge toward the finals after being called on to fill the boots of the competition’s leading goal-scorer Besart Berisha.

But unlike his nervous debut against Melbourne Heart last month, when he was given just 15 minutes notice he was playing, 19-year-old Fitzgerald is full of confidence ahead of Saturday night’s clash with Newcastle after spending the week preparing with his team-mates.

Berisha’s one-match ban has presented coach Ange Postecoglou with an opportunity to reward Fitzgerald, one of three youth players recruited.

“As a club you want to reward people who work really hard. He’s been in good form for a while and knocking on the door,” said Postecoglou, who’ll push German star Thomas Broich up into the centre forward spot and play Fitzgerald as a wide attacker.

“He’s quick, he’s clever and he can score goals.

“We’re missing a spark up front. Hopefully he’s a spark.”

Fitzgerald, whose family will travel up from Sydney for the clash with the Jets, is confident he’ll be better prepared this time with more notice.

“I came to this club (from the Mariners) to get an opportunity because I believed Ange would give me one and I’ve worked hard to get it,” said Fitzgerald.

“You have to have confidence otherwise I wouldn’t be here.

“Bes (Berisha) is out for one game and I’ve got an opportunity to give Ange some options.

“They’re big shoes to fill. I have to go out and play my own game and bring something different to the team.

“I feel like I can come in and be a big part of this team.”

Newcastle, backing up for their third game in seven days after a midweek 1-1 draw with Adelaide, are running out of games and it’s almost season-on-the-line time for them.

They find it hard to score more than one goal a match and, combined with their poor away record, it’s hard to see them causing an upset against a Brisbane side, while not as intimidating as they once were, have not lost in five games.