Atayde was a regular starter for the Eagles last season before heading overseas in July to chase opportunities at lower-division clubs.

He returned to Australia on March 16 amid the coronavirus chaos and is spending 14 days in isolation. Another Eagle on the comeback trail, Dom Bizzarri, is also in isolation after coming into contact with an overseas traveller.

Bizzarri missed last season with a knee injury and is back from reconstructive surgery.

The NNSW NPL, along with the rest of Australian football, has been suspended until at least April 14 because of coronavirus, meaning Atayde and Bizzarri will be available to play if the competition returns quickly.

Atayde is able to feature for Edgeworth without being added to their PPS roster because he is still an under-20s player.

Last season he was one of the best for the Eagles, who went on to finish third in the league and win the grand final 2-0 over premiers Maitland.

"He was very good last year," Edgeworth coach Damian Zane said of Atayde.

"He was obviously a more attacking player and he was scoring a few goals and then we sort of had to put the reins on him because we lost Dom, and then we lost a couple of defenders, so we couldn't put Pat [Wheeler] in midfield, so Jose had to drop deeper.

"Probably him and Aden [Gardner], we had to put the reins on them a bit because of injuries.

"I see him having a better year this year."

NPL clubs are this week completing a survey to help Northern NSW Football prepare for a potential return to the field this year.