Zhang has completed his commitments with Indonesian club Persik Kediri and is considered a strong chance of arriving in Newcastle in time for the trip to South Australia.

‘‘I spoke to his management as recently as this afternoon and the reports were positive,’’ Jets chief executive John Tsatsimas said yesterday.

‘‘He is back in China, where he is awaiting a medical with the Australian doctors.

‘‘Once that is complete I would anticipate his visa will be rubber-stamped.’’

Zhang, a Chinese international, is considered the final piece in the Jets puzzle but Culina said the 26-year-old front man would have to wait his turn.

‘‘He won’t be considered,’’ Culina said.

‘‘We don’t know where he is with his fitness, he doesn’t understand our game plan and I have to be fair to the guys that are here.

‘‘We are not talking about Lionel Messi or Ronaldo.

‘‘Even if we were, people have to understand and our own players have to understand, if you miss a large chunk of training, you can’t expect to walk in. This is the Newcastle Jets 2010-11 not Newcastle Jets from God knows when.

‘‘We have worked very hard to create good spirit, good atmosphere and depth in the squad.

‘‘The players who have been here the past 10 or 11 weeks deserve the opportunity.

‘‘If they don’t take the opportunity, it is another matter.

‘‘We may have to draft Zhang or other players into the team a bit earlier.’’

Sean Rooney, Labinot Haliti and Sasho Petrovski have been in a three-way battle to spearhead the attack.

‘‘It is fair to say it is not a closed case,’’ Culina said

‘‘In the five games we have played thus far, Sean has played 195 minutes, Labi has played 195 as well and Sash is a little less with 190 minutes.

‘‘We are looking for a person who is going to be commanding enough to say, ‘Hold on you can’t ignore me, because I have done enough.’