Wehrman has been in limbo for the past seven games after comments he made in a newspaper interview about Newcastle’s playing style led to a falling out with van Egmond.

It was initially anticipated the 34-year-old would link with another club during the January transfer window, which closed at midnight.

Jets chief executive Robbie Middleby said the club would give Wehrman ‘‘until the last minute’’ last night to explore his options.

Asked what would happen if Wehrman had not found a new club overnight, Middleby replied: ‘‘That’s something we’d have to sit down and talk through. We’d have to reassess it. Our first option was to try and help Kasey keep playing.’’

The prospects of that happening with Newcastle appear to be remote.

Even with skipper Jobe Wheelhouse (groin) joining Ben Kantarovski (Olyroos commitments) on the unavailable list, van Egmond said yesterday Wehrman was unlikely to be part of Newcastle’s squad for the trip to Perth.

‘‘It’s a very difficult one for Kasey now, obviously with the amount of time he’s been out,’’ van Egmond said.

‘‘He hasn’t had a game for a very long time.’’

Asked whether he would consider allowing Wehrman to regain match fitness in Newcastle’s youth team, who also play in Perth on Saturday night, van Egmond replied: ‘‘We don’t think it would be fair on him to take him all the way to Perth.’’

Wehrman could not be contacted yesterday but told the Newcastle Herald last month that his preference was to play out the season with the Jets before continuing his career in Norway, where he played professionally for almost 10 years.

‘‘But that’s totally up to Gary. If he wants to use me, I’m here and available,’’ Wehrman said on January 30.

Van Egmond said Ryan Griffiths would again deputise as skipper in Wheelhouse’s absence but was unsure who would come in to bolster Newcastle’s midfield.