Newcastle Jets owner Martin Lee says he is open to bolstering his club’s squad in January as they deal with a defensive injury crisis.
In a report in the Newcastle Herald on Wednesday, Lee said he was “satisfied” with the club’s start to the Hyundai A-League 2016/17 season.
Click here for the Herald’s site
Mark Jones’ side went unbeaten in the first three games but have now lost three on the trot ahead of Sunday’s F3 Derby against Central Coast Mariners.
The losing streak has coincided with a horror injury toll in defence, with skipper Nigel Boogaard joining the likes of Lachlan Jackson, Daniel Mullen and Ben Kennedy in the casualty ward.
“It is unfortunate with the injures but coach Mark Jones and CEO Lawrie [McKinna] will have a solution, I believe that,” Lee said in the Herald.
Asked if funds would be available to bring in players during the January transfer window, the owner said: “I need a suggestion from the coach.
“I am open to having a conversation about it.”
It’s understood ex-Adelaide United and Sydney FC centre-back Iain Fyfe will join the club on an injury-replacement deal, with the details still waiting to be finalised.
Lee has been in Newcastle this week as part of a two-day trip where he attended the Federation of Australia Shenzhen Community gathering.
He returns to China today (Wed) before bringing representatives from the Ledman Group to attend a match in Newcastle next month.
Asked about the teams slide in the last three weeks, Lee said: “The last three matches, I think, it is normal because we have a new coach and new operational team.
“We need time to adjust.”
Despite their lack of recent results, the Jets are just one point outside the top six ahead of Sunday’s derby at McDonald Jones Stadium.
They also enjoy an excellent recent record against the Mariners, unbeaten in the last five F3 Derbies, winning the last two.
