Desperate to add strike power to a misfiring attack, the Jets swooped late in a final hour transfer window coup on Friday night to bring O'Donovan back to the Hunter from Brisbane on an 18-month contract.

The 34-year-old will not be available for the clash against Western United and is likely to make his Newcastle comeback in the F3 derby against the Mariners at home on Sunday week.

Roar coach Robbie Fowler said in a Fox Sports interview before the Roar's 1-0 loss to Sydney on Friday night that O'Donovan was "speaking to a few clubs" and the Jets won the battle for his signature.

O'Donovan scored 20 goals in 35 games in his first stint at the Jets and is second only to Joel Griffiths (31) on the club's all-time scoring.

He is expected to spearhead the attack, which will allow Panamanian Abdiel Arroyo to switch to the left, where he has played the majority of his international football.

Add the return of Wes Hoolahan from a long-term ankle injury and all of a sudden the Jets pack a punch.

O'Donovan joined the Roar on a lucrative two-year deal this season. He was Fowler's first signing but dropped down the pecking order, despite scoring six goals in the opening nine games.

He made three appearances off the bench, with teenager Mirza Muratovic leading the attack, and has not been used in three games since the arrival of former Socceroo Scott McDonald.

O'Donovan's exit is likely to include a payout from Brisbane.

The Jets, who have netted just 13 goals in 14 games, will be hoping the former Premier League striker can have a similar impact to his first stay in Newcastle.

He scored a hat-trick on debut in a 5-1 win over the Mariners, his first Australian club, and was a big part of the Jets' drive to the 2017-18 grand final despite missing eight games with a torn groin and three on suspension.

He missed another 10 games last season after being sent off for a karate style kick on Victory keeper Lawrence Thomas in the Jets' dramatic 1-0 loss in the 2017-18 grand final.

The Jets were keen to re-sign O'Donovan, who owns a house in Cameron Park, for this season but talks broke down.

The sticking point was a year-one trigger, based on goals, that would have enacted a second year. After protracted discussions, the Jets made a final offer of a one-year deal only to withdraw it after O'Donovan requested more time to mull it over.

He subsequently joined Brisbane.

Meanwhile, the Herald understands the Jets are inching close to finalising a deal with former Welsh international Carl Robinson to take over as coach. The 43-year-old was in Newcastle a fortnight ago to inspect facilities and has been keep close tabs on the Jets progress.