With the Jets' season opener against the Mariners less than three weeks away, the ownership issues are no closer to being resolved after a group fronted by prominent player agent Buddy Farah withdrew from negotiations this week.

The investors had been in a period of exclusive negotiations and the transfer of the club from Martin Lee to the new group was expected to be finalised by Monday - opening the way for the Jets to sign a new coach and recruit players.

"We have reopened talks with two potential buyers who were engaged before," Mckinna said. "It's not all doom and gloom. The club will be in the competition next season. Negotiations were well down the track before the other guys went into the exclusivity period.

"It will take time but a lot of the stuff has already been done. They were on the radar before we went into exclusivity. We have zoom conferences with FFA at the beginning of next week. I am pushing hard with that because the other consortium pulled out at late notice."

If McKinna is unable to find much-needed investment, the owners of the other clubs will ensure the Jets' survival through a safety net once the A-League is run independently - which could be as early as Tuesday.

Western Sydney Wanderers chairman Paul Lederer - the head of the Australian Professional Football Clubs Association - confirmed last week that no club would be allowed to collapse.

"Obviously we need a successful league and to cut a long story short there will be a safety net there (to support any ailing teams)," Lederer told The World Game.

The clubs regard the Hunter region as a vital market for A-League and W-League.

"Hopefully it doesn't get to that point," McKinna said.

Lee has not put any funds into the Jets since October 2019.

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Football Australia grants from the broadcast deal cover player wages, while McKinna said membership fees and sponsorship contributes towards operational costs.

McKinna said the Jets' finacial position - about $2.5 million in debt - hadn't changed in the past six months.

"Our debts have not risen since June," he said. "We have been paying them as we can. The relationship with everyone is good.

"We will be announcing a couple of player signings soon. Wages are covered by the club grant. We are not spending money we don't have."

Captain Nigel Boogaard, along with striker Valentino Yuel and keeper Jack Duncan are top of the contract list.

However, the appointment of a new coach will be delayed.

Interim coach Craig Deans and assistant Daniel McBreen will be in control for the start of the season.

"They are doing a great job," McKinna said. "We have had some good results in pre-season and are confident of being competitive."

McKinna outlined the latest ownership development to Boogaard on Thursday.

"I have been up front with them all along," McKinna said.

The team is in Coffs Harbour ahead of a friendly against Brisbane today.

Striker Roy O'Donovan told the Herald that the squad had faith in management and believed the right owner would come along.

"It's important the team is part of the A-League in its new form," O'Donovan said. "Takeovers and business deal fall over every day of the week. Not everything goes to plan.

"There are a lot of great things about Newcastle, the Jets and the region. I'm sure someone is going to realise that potential.

"I think it will happen, it's a matter of when.

"Even at the moment with the way things stand - we have lost our coach and a few players - I have not seen many dressing rooms better than this one. We have a really good mix of experience and youth. OK we haven't got the biggest squad in the world, but if we can keep our best boys fit and on the park, I don't see why we can't be competitive this season."

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