Newcastle Jets signing Francis Jeffers has passed a rigorous medical test to play with the club but visa restrictions will prevent him from taking any part in this weekend’s clash with Gold Coast United.
Newcastle Jets signing Francis Jeffers has passed a rigorous medical test to play with the club but visa restrictions will prevent him from taking any part in this weekend’s clash with Gold Coast United.
Jeffers arrived in Australia last Friday and underwent one of the most gruelling fitness tests the club has ever applied to any player before passing with flying colours.
However, a delay in processing his sports visa means he will most likely make his season debut against the Perth Glory at Ausgrid Stadium on November 5.
Despite the disappointment of not be able to take the park straight away the hold-up could perhaps work in favour of the former English international, who has been without a club since being released by Scottish Premier League club Motherwell in June.
“It is difficult because when you are without a club you are forced to do a lot training on your own,” he said.
“But I have kept it pretty sensible and I am sure after a week or two’s training under my belt I will be ready to go.”
Jeffers said he will also approach this contract much differently than his last mid-season stint with the Jets, when he was used more as a hired gun.
“It was pretty rushed last time. It was only a 10-match stint and the games were pretty thick and fast,” he said.
“I think we played some midweek games and had something like six games in three weeks, so it was difficult for my body to recover.”
“This time it is more about the season. The games are week in, week out so I am looking forward to that challenge.”
“The experience I had last time I had here was great. The bond I struck up last time with the rest of the players and the people of Newcastle was a big factor in me coming back here.”
“I played nine games the last time I was here and I wanted to stay but for one reason or another that didn’t happen, but football is a funny game and here I am back again.”
“I am looking to make an impact. I did that last time and hopefully I can do it again.”
In Jets team news, Brazilian defender Tiago has been ruled out with a hamstring. Taylor Regan has been drafted into the squad as his likely replacement, while skipper Jobe Wheelhouse also returns to the fold after missing last week’s 1-0 over arch-rivals the Central Coast mariners with a virus.
New coach Gary van Egmond has also included dynamic youngster James Virgili in his 16-man squad to go to the Gold Coast for Sunday afternoon’s match
