JETS coach Ernie Merrick is on the lookout for a player to replace aspiring rapper Joey Champness but says it might not be an attacker.
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Champness, a candidate to represent the Olyroos at Tokyo 2020, has put his soccer career on hold to pursue a recording deal in America.
The 22-year-old remains under contract to the Jets and could potentially return this season if he is unable to realise his musical ambitions.
In the meantime, Merrick has a vacancy in his squad that he will be looking to fill.
"I think I would probably look for a midfield-type player that can bring more of a defensive game for us," Merrick said.
"Ben Kantarovski has had some injuries, so I think we could do with another defensive midfielder.
"We probably need a back-up player in that area.
"In saying that, Matt Ridenton has been really impressive in the pre-season, and obviously we also have Steve Ugarkovic."
Champness, who usually plays as a winger or striker, has scored eight goals in 36 appearances for Newcastle.
But Merrick is confident his new-look strike force of Abdiel Arroyo, Wes Hoolahan, Dimi Petratos and Nick Fitzgerald would provide ample firepower up front.
They had their first hit-out together in Thursday's 2-0 pre-season friendly win against Hamilton Olympic and are set to again line up in Wednesday's FFA Cup clash with Edgeworth Eagles.
Hoolahan, the former Irish international and Norwich City club legend, showed a willingness against Hamilton to chase and tackle but Merrick said his attacking prowess would be his main asset.
"I want to give him a lot of freedom in the front third," Merrick said.
"He'll have a defensive job to do, but I don't want him defending too deep.
"The last thing I want is Dimi and Wes in the back third, helping the backline.
"Then you just become a defensive side. And that's just wasting their skill. Their skill is creating and scoring goals."
Meanwhile, Jets duo Noah James and Ryan Goodhew will be out to help steer the Australia to a final berth at the AFF under-18s championships when they take on Myanmar in the semi-final in Vietnam on Saturday night.
Australia thrashed Singapore 5-0 in the final round game on Thursday to finish with four wins and a loss and top group B.
Myanmar finished runners up in Group A to Indonesia.