THE Newcastle Jets are in talks with Francis Jeffers about bringing the former Everton and Arsenal star back to the A-League.
Jeffers played a nine-game guest stint in the Hunter last season and is without a club after being released by Scottish Premier League outfit Motherwell in June.
The Jets have two places available on their roster, including a spot for an overseas player, and are yet to sign a replacement for injured marquee midfielder Jason Culina.
Jets chief executive Robbie Middleby would not comment yesterday when asked about their interest in Jeffers, but the Newcastle Herald understands the club has been in contact with the former England international.
‘‘First and foremost is the appointment of a new coach,’’ Middleby said.
‘‘Once we do that, we will sit down straight away and go through who we have in our squad.
‘‘What system the coach wants to play and what type of player he is potentially looking for.’’
The Herald revealed last week that Jets owner Nathan Tinkler, frustrated and angered by the Jason Culina situation, had done an about-face and intended to pursue a new marquee player as a show of faith to supporters.
Jeffers does not have the star status of Michael Owen, who was the club’s initial marquee target, but the Jets did embark on a seven-game winning streak during his first visit.
The 30-year-old is uncontracted, which would preclude the club from having to pay a transfer fee or waiting until the transfer window opens in January to sign someone.
By then the Jets would have played 12 games.
Former Johnny Warren medal winner and golden boot Joel Griffiths is off contract at Beijing Guoan and has also been linked to a return to the Jets.
Victorian premier league midfielder Richie Cardozo has been training with the club as has retired former skipper Michael Bridges.
Middleby said that Bridges, who has also been assisting with coaching the strikers, was training to get his fitness up but did not rule out a comeback.
‘‘Whoever comes in [as coach], let’s reassess the situation then,’’ he said.
‘‘Likewise with Richie. We are happy for him to keep training, then the new coach will have to decide.’’
A-League clubs are allowed to utilise up to $225,000 in service agreements outside the salary cap to top up wages.
The Herald has been told the Jets have limited funds left in the cap.
It is unclear if Jeffers is being considered for the marquee position, another guest stint or part of the $2.35million roster with the addition of a third-party payment.
Jason Culina signed a three-year deal in February reportedly worth $2.65million, but he has been sidelined indefinitely after two operations on his left knee in the past eight months.
The Jets last Tuesday moved to have the Socceroos’ contract annulled and are expected to have their case heard before a dispute resolution tribunal.
Jason’s father Branko was sacked one year into a four-year extension on the same day.
Branko told the Herald yesterday he was ‘‘waiting for more dialogue’’ from the Jets but was hopeful of coming to a arrangement.
He is back in Newcastle and watched the Jets’ 3-2 win over Melbourne Heart at his Hamilton home.
‘‘I was really pleased for the boys and the club,’’ Culina said.
‘‘Unfortunately things have not worked out for me personally, but the club deserves success for the work they put in.’’
Middleby said management had ‘‘touched base’’ with a few of the applicants for the coaching position, which is being filled in the interim by youth team mentor Craig Deans.
‘‘We are compiling a short list and will sit down with the advisory board in the next couple of days,’’ he said.
‘‘Once that list is finalised we will interview those people, go through the right channels and make sure we get the right person for the job.’’
Former championship winning coach Gary van Egmond has met with club representatives and remains favourite among a star-studded field of candidates.
It appears that former England manager Steve McClaren has withdrawn his interest in a move to Australia.
McClaren, who resigned from English Championship club Nottinghan Forrest last week, emailed the Jets last week. But an Engish report dismissed the inquiry as ‘‘nothing more than an agent testing the water’’ and that he was seeking a high-profile club to rebuild his career.
Meanwhile, Deans is expected to add Marko Jesic to the 15-man squad which beat the Heart 3-2 in the first round for the tip to Wellington to take on the Phoenix on Sunday.
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