Newcastle Jets eye bid for Harry Kewell

Newcastle Jets aim to bring Harry Kewell back to the A-League after his time with Melbourne Victory last season. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

NEWCASTLE remain interested in signing Harry Kewell despite hopes of a cameo appearance being dashed.
The Jets' bold play to bring Kewell back to the A-League was halted after the player himself decided he would take too long to reach match fitness.
But impressed by their dealings with the Socceroo, whose career has been in limbo for nearly a year, the Jets are leaving the door open for a deal next season.
Newcastle officials met Kewell last week when the 34-year-old was in Melbourne for a fashion shoot.
Aware of Ryan Griffiths' impending exit to join Beijing Baxi, Newcastle were keen to assess Kewell's fitness and ability to play a meaningful role in the season's crescendo.
"In the end it was decided that by the time he got here and in training it would be too late," revealed a source with knowledge of the talks.
Jets officials were said to be impressed by Kewell's professionalism, and the fact that the player himself ultimately judged that there was too little time to make an impact.
Aware of his marketing cache and buoyed by the success of former England striker Emile Heskey, the Jets will canvass a possible deal for Kewell next season internally.
Kewell is a former teammate and friend of both Heskey and Newcastle striker Michael Bridges in England, though the latter is still fighting to earn himself a new deal for next season having reversed an earlier decision to retire.
It appears increasingly unlikely that Kewell will secure a club deal in time to prove his fitness and form for June's World Cup qualifiers, putting in doubt his long-stated aim of playing at a third World Cup.
The forward turned down a highly lucrative move to Japan, and has split with celebrity agent James Erskine 18 months after parting company with Bernie Mandic, his adviser since 1991.
Kewell passed up an offer of more than $2 million to stay at Melbourne Victory for another two seasons, returning to the UK for family reasons.
Meanwhile, Heskey and Bridges will both miss today's trip to Melbourne to face Victory after the 2-1 midweek win in Wellington.
Midfielder Zenon Caravella will also miss the clash at AAMI Park after straining his hamstring during Wednesday's fixture across the Tasman, brought forward from round 26 because of New Zealand's World Cup qualifying commitments.
Sam Gallaway is also in doubt after hurting a knee in a heavy challenge from Wellington's Corey Gameiro

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