The Newcastle Jets goalkeeper is facing a new season with a first-time coach implementing his own ideas with a host of fresh faces added to the squad.

But there is one thing that hasn’t changed – the Thornton junior’s desire to play football.

Kennedy will turn out for his home-town club when the Jets continue their pre-season preparations against National Premier League club Weston tonight and knows a big season lies ahead.

The 27-year-old was the Jets player of the year in 2012 but injuries and the signing of Mark Birighitti have seen Kennedy make limited appearances since.

Kennedy said he had enjoyed working under new coach Phil Stubbins so far and was thrilled with the additions to the squad.

“It (pre-season) has been really good so far,” he said.

“We’ve got a new coach with new ideas, it has been tough as pre-season always is but I’ve really enjoyed it.

“He (Stubbins) has been really good, it’s his first A-League job and he wants to impress as well.

“Everything we’ve done so far has been very impressive, he’s brought in a few new ideas too which has been good and all the boys have taken them on board.”

Kennedy said he was fit and healthy after overcoming the knee problems that hampered him in 2013.

“I’m fit, everything is going really good at the moment,” he said.

“I’ve got no injuries and the coach said he wanted everyone to train hard and earn a spot and that’s what I’ve been doing.

“I want to get through pre-season injury free, get picked in the number one spot and play as many games as I can this year.” 

The shot-stopper said Weston would provide a different challenge to the one posed by the Jets Youth team in their friendly last week.

“Weston have been on a bit of a roll lately,” he said.

“We know they’ll be a challenge but we’ll be focused on us and getting more game time under the belt.”

As for the new A-League season, Kennedy said he was confident of the Jets having a good campaign.

“All the new boys have fitted in ­pretty well and we’re looking pretty sharp at training,” he said.

“We’ve got good squad depth this season, I think we might surprise some people.”