Ibini signed a one-season extension with the Jets in August, but has been agitating for a release since the departure of coach Carl Robinson to Western Sydney Wanderers a month ago.

The Jets refused Ibini's request, with CEO Lawie McKinna remaining firm on his stance that the fringe Socceroo is "contracted until the end of the season and we expect him to fulfil it."

Steve Ugarkovic has also expressed a desire to leave.

Both players had been training with the squad up to last Friday, when Ibini informed the club he required time off.

"He has a medical issue," McKinna said on Monday.

Player agent James Hardy confirmed that Ibini has been suffering stress.

"Bernie is going through a lot and it is taking a toll on him physically and mentally," Hardy said. "He is quite stressed with everything that is going on and that is obviously affecting him.

"He is entitled to some leave with a medical certificate and he has taken that. It will give him a chance to get his head where it should be and deal with the situation. He has moved home because he wants to be near his family. "

Hardy acknowledged that Ibini has a contract which "he has to honour" but the agent added that little had changed at the Jets since his client sought a release.

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The Jets are awaiting the transfer of the ownership from Martin Lee to be finalised before appointing a new coach.

"Lawrie has said that they can't sign players or a new coach until the new owners come in," Hardy said. "It is the uncertainty regarding the club and the financial situation. They are not signing any players. Other clubs are strengthening and they aren't.

"Obviously Bernie wasn't happy with Carl Robinson leaving. He has played under Carl twice now. Bernie sat down with Lawrie and expressed his concerns, his feelings and what he wants to do."

Asked if Ibini would be prepared to sit out the season if the Jets played hardball, Hardy said: "That is not for me or for Bernie to say at the moment. We are hoping that we can sit down and negotiate a way forward. Bernie has a good relationship with Lawrie and the club.

"I believe we can reach a solution. At the moment it is difficult because Newcastle are refusing to negotiate or look at the possibilities. I guess that is because they are waiting on a new owner."

The remainder of the Jets squad are continuing to work under caretaker coaches Craig Deans and Daniel McBreen ahead of their opening friendly against Central Coast on Friday.

"It is never ideal [to lose a coach], but that is the card we have been dealt," defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley said. "It is not the first time a coach has left a football club and it won't be the last. We just have to deal with it.

"Craig Deans is good at his job ... He knows the playing group, knows the landscape and has plenty of experience in top-grade football.

"We have a really good bunch of boys here, a good change room. The atmosphere, no matter what is happening outside, has always been solid. We have always kept together regardless of results or scenario. We have always kept a positive attitude. That is never going to change.

"The other side of it - player signings, coaches, the ownership, all those things will take care of itself in the background. We just have to take a positive attitude, move on with our current scenario and be as fit as possible for round one."

Former Jets youth player Antony Burke, who has played the past two seasons for Seattle in the US, and Bonnyrigg attacker Jack Armson have started training with the club. The duo, along with other contract hopefuls Jeremy Brockie, Jai Seldon, Takeru Okada and keeper Jack Duncan, are expected to play against the Mariners.

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