Andrea Merenda is expected to make his full Central Coast Mariners debut this week against Sydney FC. The former Lecco defender could've been available for the Mariners' victory against Newcastle Jets on Friday, only for the Italian Lega to delay his registration transfer.

Despite the frantic efforts of John Didulica at Football Federation Australia, Merenda was forced to miss out last week, but all paperwork is expected to be rubberstamped in time for their clash with Sydney.