The Newcastle Jets are waiting to learn if Daniel Penha has played his final game for the season but they are hoping it is not the Brazilian's final game for the club.
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Penha was issued a straight red card for an alleged forearm to the head of Mariners opponent Harrison Steele during an injury-time melee in the Jets' 4-2 loss to their fierce rivals at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday night.
The A-League match review panel on Monday was yet to issue a sentence.
If, as expected, Penha is charged with violent conduct, he is likely to be outed for at least three games and miss season-ending battles against Macarthur at Campbelltown on Sunday, a visit by Western United and the final-round trip to take on the Mariners.
His loan deal from Brazilian powerhouse Atletico Minero is for one season.
Jets coach Arthur Papas headhunted the 23-year-old but the livewire is understood to have already attracted interest from other A-League clubs.
"We are already focused on the roster for next season," Jets executive chairman Shane Mattiske said. " Daniel is part of that. Those discussions have commenced."
Asked if retaining Penha was a priority, Mattiske said: "There is no doubt that he is an exciting player and has made a huge contribution to the club this season. "We know he has become a favourite of our fans in his time here and we would like to see that continue. Clearly he is player we would want to continue at the club."
Saturday was the second time in five games Penha has been dismissed late.
The Jets successfully challenged a three-match ban handed out after the feisty playmaker was sent off and charged with "serious unsporting conduct" in the scoreless draw in Perth.
On review, the suspension was reduced to one game after the club argued that the foul - a flailing arm - was reckless not intentional.
However, they do not appear to have the same grounds this time round.
Mattiske offered a "no comment" when asked if Penha's disciplinary record would impact on contract discussions.
"There is a lot of thought going into the shape of the roster and how we make sure, after a season of significant improvement in the squad, that we continue to improve," he said.
The last time Penha sat out a match due to suspension, the Jets crafted just one shot on target in a 2-0 loss to Brisbane - the Roar scored twice after Lucas Mauragis was sent off in the 80th minute.
The Brazilian has been central to the Jets' attack and provided a club-record 11 assists to go with four goals.
His impact has attracted heavy attention from opposition defences. In both send offs Penha was clearly frustrated at the treatment he had received.
"I don't want to get into it," Mattiske said. "If you read social media, our fans are clearly frustrated with some of the calls.
"We have to attack what is in front of us. When we are 3-0 behind we make it difficult for ourselves."
