EDMUNDO Zura is not going anywhere.
The Newcastle Jets marquee striker yesterday dismissed speculation he was about to quit the club but admitted he was missing his young family, who are in Ecuador awaiting an entry visa for Australia.
Rumours surfaced on Monday that the 25-year-old wanted out of his lucrative one-year deal less than a third of the way through the A-League season.
But there were no signs of discontent yesterday as he mingled with teammates and shared a joke with coach Gary van Egmond at the end of training.
"I am a professional player. This is my job," Zura told The Herald through an interpreter after completing training yesterday.
"Obviously I miss my family. I have a young child and it is hard.
"I like it here, but it will be better once my family get here. Hopefully they will be here in two weeks."
Zura has not seen his wife, Johanna, and four-year-old son Elkin Ronaldinho since he left his homeland for Newcastle nearly four months ago.
The situation was inflamed last week when van Egmond publicly criticised the former Ecuadorean international's contribution.
The pair exchanged words before the Jets' 1-0 win over Melbourne at home on Saturday night.
Whatever was said worked because Zura produced by far his best performance in Jets colours.
"This happens around the world. People are always going to comment," Zura said yesterday.
"I have spoken with Gary and everything is OK.
"I am a professional and I want to apply myself, work hard and things will happen.
"Saturday was a good game for me."
Teamed up front with youngster Marko Jesic, Zura found a new lease of life.
As well as providing energy and creating chances, the powerfully built marksman got through 90 minutes for the first time.
He regularly found space on the right, tormenting the Victory defence, and swung some high-quality crosses into the box.
Such was his satisfaction, he hustled over to the south-east corner of the ground at full-time and threw his sweat-soaked shirt into the crowd.
"I like to win and was very excited," he said in explanation of his actions.
"I enjoyed having Marko alongside me [as a shadow striker] because it gave me an outlet.
"I had someone to play to.
"It was important to get through 90 minutes.
"My fitness is good enough now to get through every week."
The only downside of his effort against Melbourne was a missed penalty in the first half.
"I have to put it aside," he said.
"The next penalty I want to take it and make up for missing.
"After the penalty, I just had to keep concentrating and keep playing, try and help us get the win."
Van Egmond was bemused at the innuendo surrounding his marquee man.
"There is always going to be times when that happens," he said.
"I have spoken to him a little since the game on Saturday, but you cannot always have an interpreter at your finger tips.
"He is fine. He worked hard in the gym and on the field this morning.
"There are no issues.
"At the end of the day, it is about how effective you can be as a player.
"He was very effective on Saturday night, and hopefully that is the type of form we are going to see from him from now on."