JETS winger Joey Champness arrives back in Newcastle on Sunday armed with a new single and aspirations to combine his football career with growing music interests.
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Champness, an emerging rapper who goes by the name JOWIC, has spent the past four weeks in Los Angeles meeting and working with record labels.
The 22-year-old last week released a new single Name Live and has signed a distribution deal with Create Music Group, who have worked with a number of major hip hop artists including Future, Post Malone and the Migos.
Champness has been juggling music and football since his music rose to prominence after being featured on Triple J's Unearthed series.
The Jets allowed Champness, who is off contract at the end of the season, to "chase his dream" in LA on the proviso the Olyroos followed a strict training program.
After a breakout 2017-18 season in which he scored five goals and was a finalist for the A-League's young player of the year award, Champness broke his foot and made just nine appearances last season.
Jason Hoffman played on the left wing in the 1-0 win over Edgeworth on Sunday. Recruit Nick Fitzgerald started on the right.
The pair are expected to be deployed in similar roles in a friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers behind closed doors at Parklea on Wednesday.
The hit out will be used as a dress rehearsal for the Jets' FA Cup round of 32 clash with Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on August 7.
Lewis Italiano is likely to be in goals on Wednesday after returning on Sunday from a playing stint for Balcatta FC in his home town Perth. While in Perth, Italiano's wife, Tiffani, gave birth to their first child.
Regular shot-stopper Glen Moss is being hindered by bruising on his foot. He sat out the Edgeworth game but is expected to be fit for the FFA Cup.
Import Abdiel Arroyo will have a final series of tests, an echocardiogram on his heart, on Tuesday.
The Panamanian striker won't feature against Wanderers but, baring a setback, will be in the squad to travel to Melbourne.
The Jets are yet to replace Ivan Vujica, who was released to join new Melbourne club Western United.
Coach Ernie Merrick's preference is for an attacking player.
The Jets inquired about Andy Keogh, who has reportedly been frozen out at Perth Glory despite the striker having signed a one-year extension, but the Irishman appears likely to stay in the west.
The 33-year-old former international knocked back an approach from Adelaide United in the off-season and according to sources is reluctant to move from Perth, where a number of his family have migrated.
Perth are understood to be happy for Keogh to depart but do not intend to pay him out or do any deals with other clubs that involve the Glory cover some of his wage.
The Jets budget has been cut and they have limited money available in the $3.1 million salary cap to spend.
