Newcastle Jets fans can head into the weekend’s fixtures buoyed by the news that hotshot Roy O’Donovan is keen to extend his stay in the Hunter Valley.
Top scorer for the Jets in what has been a largely disappointing campaign, O’Donovan has found the net eight times so far and is on target to eclipse his 2017/18 total of nine.
His current deal with the Newcastle club comes to an end this season, but the former Sunderland, Coventry City and Central Coast Mariners man has revealed he is hoping to put pen-to-paper on a new contract.
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“I love Newcastle – it’s been great to me. The people have been great and the football club has been fantastic,” he said.
“This season, results-wise, has been frustrating, but myself and my family have really loved our time here. Australia’s been good to me, I can apply to be a citizen in May.
“We are permanent residents at the moment, so I think it’s the logical next step and after football, even, we can make a home and life here.
“We’re negotiating [over a new contract], and if we can meet somewhere in the middle then great, but it’s an ongoing process.”
Wanderers up next
With their slim hopes of making the top six all but extinguished, the Jets play host to Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday evening (kick-off 5.35pm AEDT) aiming to finish the campaign on a high.
A repeat of their last meeting would do nicely for O’Donovan and co. – the Jets won 5-1 at the ANZ Stadium in February – with the Irish striker scoring twice.
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But the Wanderers have enjoyed something of a resurgence since then, losing only once in six matches and beating Melbourne City 3-0 last time out.
“We’ve got to be upbeat and positive this weekend,” O’Donovan said.
“It’s a good game for us in front of our home fans and they deserve to see us play our best stuff.
On our best days we’re pretty good, so we’re all hoping and praying that tomorrow is one of our best days.
“Western Sydney Wanderers are confident. They’re winning games, they’ll come up here with a bit of confidence and swagger, and we have to match that.”