COACH Ernie Merrick expects to know within two weeks if in-form striker Roy O'Donovan will be at the Jets next season.
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Merrick has made no secret of his desire to retain the Irishman, who has scored five goals in the past five games, highlighted by a brace in the 6-1 demolition of Brisbane.
O'Donovan knocked back an initial one-year deal but The Herald understands talks have since progressed and the parties are close to an agreement.
"We have never questioned the fact that we want to re-sign Roy," Merrick said. "It is just a case of getting him pinned down. And he keeps scoring goals. I'm not sure if his price keeps going up. I leave that to [CEO] Lawrie McKinna and [Football Operations Manager] Joel Griffiths. I think we have to find out soon, within the next two weeks so we know where we are at."
O'Donovan is one of six players alongside marquee Ronny Vargas, Brazilian Jair, winger Kwabena Appiah, home-grown utility Nick Cowburn and Wanderers-bound fullback Daniel Georgievski yet to be re-signed.
Apart from O'Donovan, who's 11 goals is the third most by a Jet in a season, the remainder are almost certain to depart.
However, Merrick said sentiment would not play a role in team selection for the final game against Sydney FC at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday night.
"I don't think you play a game in modern professional football to farewell anyone," Merrick said. "We will put out a team we think is a combination of the best senior players we have at the moment and the best up-and- coming youngsters who deserve another run after a great performance. Anyone who is in there will earn their spot."
Teenager Angus Thurgate starred against Brisbane in his second start for the season and along with fellow young guns Ivan Vujica, Joey Champness and Johnny Koutroumbis will be retained for the visit by the Sky Blues.
Glen Moss returns in goals and Nigel Boogaard will captain the side despite having his knee heavily strapped at training on Tuesday.
"I will see how we train this week, look at what options we have and what areas I feel we need to bring in senior players," Merrick said.
"Seeing it is the last game of the season and Glen has had an outstanding year. He will be back. Same with Nigel ... it's the other spots I haven't determined yet.
"Sydney will have a strong team. They have played consistently all year, they are second top in the league and they have really good back up players.
"I expect this will a tough match and a very exciting one because they don't park the bus. It will be end to end, open football and that really suits us. We can entertain the crowd hopefully.
"We want to finish on a strong note and it will a more experienced team than last week, with a younger flavour in there as well."