JETS boss Lawrie McKinna believes Carl Robinson can help Abdiel Arroyo fulfill his potential and has opened talks with the Panamanian striker about extending his loan deal.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Arroyo flies out on Tuesday for New York where his girlfriend Yumeyli Carrington is based.
The power-packed 26-year-old showed glimpses of what he is capable of without taking the A-League by storm.
He opened his account with a spectacular volley against Adelaide in round three but was unable to added a second goal until round 16 in January.
His campaign, which also included three assists, was hindered by a hamstring issue which forced him out for six games early and lingered.
At full tilt, Arroyo was a handful and with a full preseason under Robinson and assistant coach Kenny Miller, McKinna reckons he could dominate.
"I think everybody could see the potential in him with his pace and strength," McKinna said. "The coaches are definitely interested.
"What Carl has done with other players and how they have improved. With Arroyo's pace, if he can learn how Carl wants to play, he could be the difference.
"We have reached out to his agent and told him we are keen to talk. If we can get him at the right price we would be interested. That price will be driven by what happens with the salary cap."
Arroyo stayed in Newcastle during the COVID-19 shut down and has been learning English. Robinson is learning Spanish.
"He was no trouble but the language barrier was a problem at times," McKinna said. "We had a translator Julio who would come up from Sydney and he also used google translator. Him being able to speak better English and communicate would be helpful as well."
After doing some testing on the weekend, the Jets have broken for holidays with the 14 players under contract due to assemble for preseason training on October 1.
Contract talks with Bernie Ibini and Joe Ledley are ongoing.
Dimi Petratos is awaiting paperwork before heading to Saudi Arabia for a medical with an unnamed club.
Robinson and football operations manager Joel Griffiths are expected to speak with other players, including skipper Nigel Boogaard, this week.
Initially slated to start in December, the 2020-21 A-League season is expected to kick-off in January and consist of 22 rounds. Each club would play the others home and away, culminating with a final series in June.
Before a draw is formalised, Football Federation Australia and the players players union need to sign off on a new collective bargaining agreement to replace the current arrangement which expires in two weeks.
"We still need clarity around the grant from FFA, budgets and stuff like that," McKinna said. "From all reports the talks are going well and by the end of the month everything should be resolved."
Robinson's wife and son arrived from Canada on Friday and are in quarantine in Sydney.
"Carl will be staying local, working with academy, going to youth team games and watching NPL games in Sydney," McKinna said.
While you're with us, did you know the Newcastle Herald offers breaking news alerts, daily email newsletters and more? Keep up to date with all the local news - sign up here
IN THE NEWS:
- NRL: Knights prop Daniel Saifiti hoping for all-clear to tackle Cowboys
- NRL: Newcastle closing in on finals after fighting off desperate Manly
- A-League: Coach insists he's only scratched surface with rejuvinated Jets
- Rugby Union: Wildfires women produce breakthrough victory
- Racing: Cessnock's potential farewell meeting called off
