IN-form Jets striker Jeremy Brockie admits the uncertainty over his future is playing on his mind as the Kiwi approaches a hectic week that starts with a must-win game against Adelaide at Hunter Stadium on Friday and includes a friendly against Jamaica in Auckland.
Brockie and fellow front man Ryan Griffiths are at the top of the Jets’ retention list.
Between them they have scored 17 of the Jets’ 30 goals and sit second and third on the goal scorers list with nine and eight respectively.
Brisbane’s Besart Berisha, who inked a new two-year deal last week, is the top gun with 15 goals.
‘‘There is not too much progress [on contract talks] at the moment but hopefully I can go out on Friday, score a couple of goals and help my chances,’’ Brockie said yesterday.
‘‘I go into every game with that in the back of my mind.
‘‘Hopefully we can keep winning and I can play a part in getting us into the top six and that helps my chances.
‘‘Of course you’d rather know sooner than later if you are staying or going.
‘‘Hopefully we can get something sorted.’’
Brockie, 24, is in his second year in Newcastle.
He scored two goals in 14 appearances in an injury-interrupted maiden campaign to take his A-League tally to seven in 47 games.
But the All White winger’s stocks have risen dramatically this season and the Herald understands he is after a significant upgrading.
Jets chief executive Robbie Middleby said it was club policy not to discuss contract negotiations publicly but stressed they were keen to keep Brockie and Griffiths, but had the restraints of the salary cap to work under.
Brockie is coming off a frustrating night in the Jets’ 2-0 loss to Perth on Saturday but is confident of bouncing back against the Reds.
‘‘We did not create many chances,’’ he said.
‘‘It was one of those games, where we were probably sat a bit too deep and weren’t really threatening them enough.
‘‘It all collapsed from there.
‘‘It wasn’t the best game but we have to look forward to Friday now and hopefully we can get the three points there.
‘‘Adelaide are not going to be easy and are in a similar position to us, I guess. They are looking to work their way into the top six.
‘‘It will be a good battle.’’
After the Reds showdown, Brockie will head to Auckland for an international friendly against Jamaica on Wednesday.
He travels back across the Tasman on Thursday and will have one training session before Newcastle’s road trip to play Melbourne Victory on Saturday.
‘‘I won’t miss any [A-League] games, which is good,’’ Brockie said.
‘‘I’m looking forward to going over. It is our last hit-out before the World Cup qualifiers start in June, so it is a good opportunity to cement a spot in the starting eleven.’’
Jets captain Jobe Wheelhouse (groin) will resume running today but is unlikely to be cleared to play.
‘‘The physios are working overtime with Jobe,’’ Jets assistant coach Craig Deans said.
‘‘If they can work a miracle between now and Friday and Jobe is available that would be a bonus.’’
Ben Kantarovski is due back from Oyroos duty in the United Arab Emirates on Friday morning.
The midfielder missed the past three Jets games and Deans said they would wait until he returned to make a decision on his inclusion.
‘‘It depends how much time he plays in the game [late tonight] in UAE and if he feels fresh when he gets off the plane,’’ Deans said.
‘‘He is young enough to cope but again we need to be mindful of what is best for him.
‘‘If it is a possibility, then it would be nice to have another body to choose from.’’
Taylor Regan deputised in midfield against Perth before succumbing to stomach cramps just before half-time.
‘‘I think he did quite well up until that point,’’ Deans said of the home-grown defender.
‘‘I don’t think it was too much of a risk, it is a position he is comfortable in.’’
Regan trained yesterday and his role against the Reds is likely to hinge on tactics coach Gary van Egmond employs.
The 23-year-old played as a stopper in a back three in the Jets’ scoreless draw with Adelaide in Bathurst last month.
‘‘We played a back three in Bathurst and it worked quite well and it has at other times in the past,’’ Deans said.
‘‘It’s a matter of having a good look at their game against Sydney from the weekend, see where their strengths are and adjust accordingly.’’
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