Newcastle coach Branko Culina insists his side has put its worst performance of the A-League season behind them ahead of what looms as a crucial match against North Queensland on Sunday.

The Jets host the Fury at EnergyAustralia stadium just four days after their heavy 3-0 loss in Wellington that saw them sink to the bottom of the table.

With consecutive home games against the Fury and Wellington scheduled, Culina believes his side's season has reached a pivotal point if they are to be contenders.

And the former Sydney FC boss is confident the heavy loss to the Phoenix has not left any scars.

"We have to put that performance behind, it was best described as ordinary and probably the worst game we've played this year," Culina said of the Westpac Stadium clash.

"This team is probably two wins short of being a very good team, we're a team that relies very much on confidence and if the results are not there the confidence isn't quite there.

"I think you'd certainly see a very different team if we can win the next two home games."

Culina isn't the only one tipping the Jets to improve on Sunday afternoon, with North Queensland captain Robbie Fowler also wary of facing another side on the rebound.

"If I was managing Newcastle then I'd want my team to bounce back straight away," said Fowler, who has scored an impressive eight goals in his first 13 A-League matches.

"The good thing about playing two games in quick succession is you get a chance really quickly to bounce back from a defeat.

"We'll have to be on our toes to combat that and focus on our own game."

The Jets should be boosted of the return of marquee midfielder Fabio Vignaroli from a calf problem for the clash.

The club also received another shot in the arm this week by the news striker Joel Griffiths will return to play for them in January, despite doubts over his long-term future with the club.

Griffiths arrived in Australia on Friday and said he was looking forward to helping the struggling Jets improve their position on the ladder.

"Of course, I always want the Jets to do well," Griffiths said.

"I don't really want to come back first of January and you're playing for nothing, so hopefully I can help them get a couple of wins up and get up the table.

"Hopefully they get the three points this week."