Newcastle Jets CEO Lawrie McKinna has confirmed the club will chase another ‘quality’ attacker to support Irish striker Roy O’Donovan.
KOKKO EXIT OPENS DOOR
*The club parted ways with out of favour Finnish striker Aleksandr Kokko on Tuesday, with the former RoPS attacker signing with Hong Kong club Eastern FC.
*The giant striker played just 13 games in his lone season at the Jets, scoring one goal.
*Newcastle now have three visa spots available with O’Donovan and midfielder Wayne Brown the only foreign players on the club’s books.
JETS EYEING ATTACKING TALENT
“It doesn’t necessarily need to be a visa player. If we can find an Aussie player, then so be it,” Jets CEO Lawrie McKinna told the Newcastle Herald.
“I know everybody is going to chuck up Nathan Burns, and that would be lovely, but obviously that’s not in the budget at the moment. We’ve spoken to him, but there are a few offers coming in from overseas clubs, and if that happens, we’re no chance.”
“Dimi [Petratos] can play up there. There are other boys who can do a job, but we really need another target player, somebody attacking.
“Whoever comes in has to be able to come in and feature in that team, either up front with Roy O’Donovan or alone himself, not just a back-up. We’ll be able to go for a player who is quality enough to be starting.”
NEWCASTLE’S ATTACKING WOES
*The Jets have struggled in the front third in recent seasons and were the league’s second lowest-scoring team (28 goals) last campaign, ahead of only Adelaide United (25).
*Only Adam Taggart (16) and Joel Griffiths (12) have managed to net 10 goals or more in a single season for the Jets.
*The club have signed former Mariners striker Roy O’Donovan and versatile attacker Dimitri Petratos to boost their attacking output.
