FORMER New Zealand international Jeremy Brockie is training with the Newcastle Jets with a view to resurrecting his A-League career.
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Brockie and former Western United striker Valentino Yuel were on deck Monday and will be given "two to three weeks" with the squad.
They join keeper Jack Duncan, who has returned to Australia after a two-year stint in Saudi Arabia, and national premier league hopefuls Jai Seldon (Canberra) and Takeru Okada (Wollongong).
"We can't sign players until the ownership and coaching position are finalised," Jets chief executive Lawrie McKinna said. "We can bring players in to train because they are covered by insurance. It gives us a chance to look at them and then make recommendations to the new coach."
The train-on players did a Bronco fitness test with the squad on Monday and will be involved in an intraclub game on Saturday and possibly the opening pre-season friendly against the Mariners (November 13).
"They will spend two-to-three weeks with us," McKinna said.
It is hoped that the transfer of the club from Martin Lee to a new ownership group will by finalised within three weeks and a coach appointed.
Recently turned 33, Brockie has spent the past five years in South Africa. The majority of that time was at SuperSport United in Pretoria, where he scored 28 goal in 81 appearances.
He returned to Townsvile, where his wife is from, in May due to COVID-19 and was registered by Northern NSW club Weston but didn't play.
The last of Brockie's 50 caps for New Zealand was in a World Cup qualifier in 2018.
The Jets are one of five A-League clubs Brockie has called home, scoring 11 goals in 41 game in two seasons from 2010-11.
Yuel, 26, was one of the first players Western United signed - plucked from Victoria side Bentleigh Greens, where he scored eight goals in 12 games. He suffered an ankle injury on the eve of the season before eventually making his A-League debut in round 10. The speedster made nine appearances but was not re-signed.
"He is lightning fast and can play anywhere across the front three," McKinna said. "Again, we will have a look at him and go from there."
Seldon, a silken-skilled winger, and Okada (midfielder) impressed in their first week of training.
The Jets have a minimum two places to fill and could sign up to four players.
Meanwhile, former Jets fullback and crowd favourite Bobby Burns faces a long spell on the sidelines after breaking his tibia and fibula in a tackle playing for Northern Ireland club Glentoran against Coleraine.
Burns had the ball when taken out by Coleraine striker James McLaughlin, who was sent off.
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James Gardiner
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
