Now the 19-year-old scholarship player is a chance to make his A-League debut.

James has moved up the pecking order after the departure of veteran shotstopper Glen Moss. Lewis Italiano will start in goals, with James next in line.

Moss had planned to retire at the end of the season.

However, the COVID-19 enforced interruption to the campaign has brought the former Kiwi international's end forward.

He and his family have moved to Sydney in readiness for the next chapter of his career as goalkeeper coach at new A-League franchise Macarthur Rams.

Rather than sign a back-up keeper for the Jets' four remaining game plus potentially finals, James will get his chance.

The talented shot-stopper, who was sidelined for three months with a hand injury earlier this year, has sat on the bench previously but it has only ever been for one or two weeks.

"We won't be bringing in another keeper," Jets chief executive Lawrie McKinna said. "Lewis had been in great form before the league was suspended. We also wanted to give Noah an opportunity. We all know the potential that Noah has. It is a great chance. All of a sudden he is sitting on the bench for the next four games and he might get an opportunity."

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McKinna coached James in the Jets youth team and said he has all the ingredients to be a top gloveman.

"He just needs to play games," McKinna said. "With games comes confidence on when to come out for crosses and things like that. Playing against men [in the A-League], you've got less time to make decisions. He came on last season in the preseason and played a few games. Even two years ago in Spain [on a pre-season tour], he played in a couple of games.

"It is up to him now. Mossy and Lewis put pressure on each other. Now it's up to Noah to put pressure on Lewis."

The Jets resume their campaign away to Sydney FC on July 21. They back up three days later against Central coast (July 24) before back-to-back home games against Western United (August 3) and Wellington Phoenix (August 11).

As well as Moss, foreigners Wes Hoolahan and Bobby Burns, who was on loan from Scottish club Hearts, have returned to Ireland will not complete the season. Kaine Sheppard has his contract mutually terminated.

"We have five youth team players training with the senior squad," McKinna said. IWe are going to look at bringing in a couple of players to have a look at for next season, possibly from an NPL club or the youth team."

Former Welsh international Joe Ledley was to leave Cardiff on Friday en route to Newcastle and will have to spend 14 days in quarantine.

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