JOEL Griffiths returned to Australia yesterday after a successful loan stint in China, but Jets fans will not see the former golden boy back in a Newcastle shirt until January 10 if at all.
This scenario has left some supporters bemused to say the least.
Why is Griffiths cooling his heels for the next two months when he could be helping the Jets climb off the bottom of the A-League ladder and push towards a play-off berth?
After all, he is still a Jets player, isn't he?
In essence, the Jets and Griffiths sealed their fate when they signed off on the loan arrangement with Beijing Guoan. Under FIFA regulations, players on loan can only leave or return during the transfer windows. The A-League windows are from June 8 to August 31 (12 weeks) and four weeks from January 1.
Griffiths's deal, which netted the club a reported $500,000 and the player $700,000, was finalised just before the January 31 deadline 10 months ago.
That's what you call a win-win situation for A-League players taking a loan deal to China higher wages and a guaranteed two-month break before you get back for the business end of the Australian season.
Meanwhile, other clubs could be similarly dudded by loan deals involving some of the biggest names in the league.
With the World Cup in June and the A-League season over in March, Socceroos Jason Culina (Gold Coast), Craig Moore (Brisbane), Mile Sterjovski, Jacob Burns and Chris Coyne (Perth) are keen to stitch up loan deals to give them every chance of being in Pim Verbeek's squad for South Africa. Any deal would have to be done by the January 31, which would rule the players out the finals.
Perth owner Tony Sage has already indicated he is prepared to let his three prized Socceroos recruits miss the finals if it means they improve their World Cup chances.
In regard to the Jets, they could have negotiated for Griffiths to return in August, but that would have been of little use to Beijing, whose season did not finish until last weekend when they were crowned champions. Griffiths was their equal leading scorer (nine) alongside younger brother Ryan.
So where does that leave the Jets?
They have left a place on their 23-man roster and room under the salary cap for Griffiths.
It is hoped that come January they will be in the mix for the finals and Griffiths will provide a timely spark.
But things can change quickly in football the Jets' fall from champions to wooden spooners is evidence of that.
On returning to Sydney yesterday Griffiths said he was keen to roll over his loan deal and spend another year in Beijing where his young family have settled and enjoyed the different culture.
Jets owner Con Constantine was quick to quash that proposal, stating if Beijing are keen to keep the 30-year-old striker they can fork out a $1 million transfer fee.
Constantine has wavered before initially he said Griffiths was not for sale and with a suspension hanging over the forward's head, it may be good business to pocket another lucrative fee, especially if the player's heart is not in the Hunter.
Griffiths received a seven-match ban for a gesture he made towards opposition fans last month, his second suspension for the season, and missed the final four games.
He has lodged an appeal with the Chinese Football Association and at the very least hopes to have the ban reduced to five games, which would still rule him out of his proposed homecoming game against champions Melbourne at EnergyAustralia Stadium on January 10.
If unsuccessful, he will also miss away games against the Gold Coast (January 13) and Brisbane (January 16), restricting him to four appearances before the finals, provided the Jets qualify.
By then it would have been nearly three months since his last competitive game, and no amount of training can make up for that.
The landscape may also have changed dramatically by then. Michael Bridges and Labinot Haliti have started to form a good combination and Griffiths could have serious competition for a starting spot.
Not that he has ever been one to step away from a challenge.
His nine goals in 18 games for Beijing is proof that his predator instincts are as strong as ever, but after two bans you have to question whether he has matured as a footballer.
The same disciplinary issues which cost the Jets he received three red cards in three years have cost Beijing.
It is a catch 22.
One of Griffiths's strongest traits is his passion and will to win.
On the flip side, the same attributes have also been his downfall when frustration bubbles to the surface and snap.
Few would argue that the Jets are not a better team with Griffiths in it.
But Constantine has always maintained that he will not stand in the way of a player wanting to go overseas.
It shapes as an interesting month.
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