Eckerstrom was a standout for Newcastle in 2018-19, making 61 saves in 12 games. It was 10 more saves than the next best in the league.

Stengel was Newcastle's leading scorer and second in the league with 10 goals in 2017-18 as the Jets made a drought-breaking run to the finals.

However, the Utah Royals forward missed the second half of last season because of a stress fracture in her foot.

American Taylor Smith tore her ACL in her sixth appearance for the Jets last season. She will miss the US NWSL season and not be back for Newcastle.

Chicago Red Stars defender Arin Wright (nee Gilliland) remains a chance of returning after joining Newcastle's campaign late last season.

"Britt is not coming back," Deans said.

"She's staying home. She's had two seasons here, as well as playing at home, so she's on her fifth straight season and wants to have a break.

"Katie won't be back as well and Taylor is obviously injured. Gilly wants to come back but it depends on what the budget is."

The Jets missed the finals last season by only three points despite the loss of key imports and injuries to World Cup-bound Matildas Emily Van Egmond and Gema Simon late in the campaign.

They won three of their last four games with a squad of mostly local players and may have to rely on the same talent again given the club's financial situation.

Jets management have already flagged that the A-League side will not have a marquee player next season and operations would be streamlined because of owner Martin Lee's business challenges in China.

The potential budget cut for the W-League side would likely impact their capacity to bring in imports, given the added expenses of air fares, accommodation, transport and insurance.

Deans was unsure of what changes were ahead but he was encouraged by the Jets' finish to last season.

"The last two years we actually spent a fair bit of money and last year was a bit of a disaster with all the players who got injured," Deans said.

"But we finished the season really well without some of our stars. We had only Arin and Britt by the end of the season and we still performed really well.

"In some ways, it's not a bad option to go down that track because those girls have shown that they can compete.

"Hopefully no one steals our better Aussie players and we can keep those girls together.

"We won three of the last four, which is a third of the season, so we've just got to continue on where we left off and see how we go."