Central Coast star Fabio Ferreira is hopeful of breaking his goal drought in one of the biggest fixtures of the Mariners' A-League calendar -- the F3 derby against Newcastle.
Ferreira hasn't scored since coming back from a hamstring injury in round three, and has been substituted in all four games upon his return.
However the Portuguese attacker has put the onus on himself to break his duck when the ninth-placed Mariners meet eighth-placed neighbours Newcastle on Sunday.
"I'm hanging for a goal, I'm craving for a goal very bad," Ferreira said on Tuesday.
"Obviously I try to score, to create, it's not going to be different things game. Hopefully I start scoring and create some assists. I'll do my best, hopefully no injury."
A win would also help the Mariners bounce back after a disappointing 2-0 loss to Wellington last-start that coach Paul Okon labelled their worst performance of the season.
Ferreira admitted the team was off the pace against Phoenix in Canberra but is confident the local derby will bring the best out of the playing group.
The Mariners are winless in their past five clashes against the Jets and haven't won in Broadmeadow since Dec. 2012.
"Everyone was a bit flat [against Wellington], just disappointing. Hopefully we don't repeat that and next game we're more energetic and we can take the three points," Ferreira said.
"You just want to win a derby. It'll be a very important game for us to win, we want to win it at all costs. Hopefully we'll be strong and mentally prepared to a big game.
"With the fans around you trying to support, it means a lot for us players and gives them more desire to try to win the game. Hopefully the fans travel to Newcastle and support us."
