Several Macarthur region players to give fans their premier football fix when 2013-14 A-League season commences on Friday

THE 2013/14 A-League season kicks off this weekend and several Macarthur region players will star.

All set for kick-off

THE 2013/14 A-League season kicks off this weekend and several Macarthur region players will give fans their premier football fix.

Accomplished midfielder Brett Emerton, of Harrington Park, led the All Stars against Manchester United in July, will continue his Sky Blues vice-captaincy and ­Italian marquee player Alessandro Del Piero will wear the captain's armband.

The Sky Blues were busy recruiting in the off-season and signed Marc Warren, Nikola Petkovic, Tiago, Pedj Bojic, Corey Gameiro, Richard Garcia and also welcomed back Matthew Jurman and Nick Carle.

After a mixed preseason, which included a tour of Italy with three wins and three defeats, Sydney will face Newcastle Jets in the season opener at 7.30pm on Friday at Allianz Stadium.

Last year's minor premiers, the Western Sydney Wanderers, will kick off their season with a grand ­final rematch against ­Central Coast Mariners at Bluetongue Stadium on ­Saturday at 5.30pm.

The Wanderers have signed forwards Tomi Juric and Brendon Santalab and defenders Dean Heffernan and Matthew Spiranovic.

Wanderers striker Mark Bridge, of Mt Annan, said: "We've been training hard but we want to go one better this season."