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MARCOS Flores has never been more determined.
The Jets major addition in an off-season notable for its departures joined the main training group for the first time yesterday and is confident of being fit for the start of the A-League season.
The 28-year-old Argentinian playmaker and right back Scott Neville, who are at a similar stage in their recovery from a knee reconstruction, were eased into action.
They did the warm-up and a series of passing and possession drills before splitting from the group to complete the 75-minute workout.
"It was exciting to be back with the players," Flores said.
"I am getting closer to playing again.
"It was just bouncing the ball, doing the warm-up and passing drills. We have plenty of time to build towards 50-50s and challenges.
"I am moving pretty well.
"Of course, if you invited me to play 11 versus 11 in the park I would say I could go.
"But slowly, slowly. Maybe three or four weeks I will be ready to jump in.
"I am pretty confident that I will be ready for the first game."
Jets coach Phil Stubbins, though happy with the progress of Flores and Neville, insisted neither would be fast-tracked.
"The positive for me, looking at everything, is the smile on the face," Stubbins said.
"They are a little bit ahead in terms of the rehab. The medical staff need a pat on the back."
"There is no rush. We are going to bide our time and wait until everything is checked off."
Flores ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee at a training session with former club, the Central Coast Mariners, on January 2.
The Mariners brought in Seung-yong Kim as an injury replacement, and at season's end opted to retain the South Korean and release Flores.
The silky-skilled attacking midfielder had returned to Argentina before given an A-League lifeline by Stubbins, who was the assistant coach at Adelaide United in 2010-11 when Flores led the Reds to third place and won the Johnny Warren Medal.
"When the Mariners reject me, the only thing I had in my heart was the conviction to be back on the park," Flores said.
"I told the board of the Jets that I am really thankful, I am full of faith, I am going to give back to the board, to the club, and the fans all my best football.
"The last six months in the gym has made me stronger without a doubt.
"Never in my life did I do two sessions [a day] of gym.
"My body is changing in a good way. I feel stronger but I need matches.
"I can't wait for the new players to come, and like I said before, be available to train . . . tell the boys what I expect from them and they can tell me what they expect from me.
"I think we will play interesting football.
"We want to be really tough to beat and also try and bring some flair."
The Jets have not boasted a genuine playmaker since Nick Carle wore the No.10 shirt in the second season of the A-League (2006-07), winning the Johnny Warren Medal, and taking the Jets within a penalty shootout of a grand final.
It's a role and responsibility that Flores craves.
"I have always said to the strikers, if the game is nil-nil we have not created enough," he said.
"Every time I go to a stadium I want to create things.
"If we do not score goals, I am the first person to criticise myself.
"I just want to play my football.
"If I am healthy - God protect me to be healthy - plus adding the happiness I have now, adding that the coach knows me well and how to use me . . . the ingredients are there."
Flores's increased involvement yesterday helped raise his spirits after Argentina's 1-0 loss to Germany in the World Cup final.
"I yelled a lot at the TV and tried to push them from home," he said.
"I did it all game.
"But when the goal happened, to be honest, I did not yell.
"It was magnificent the way Goetze finished. Great touch, great assist, great set-up.
"Nothing to say but congratulations to Germany."
Flores is one of four new faces, along with former Socceroos defender Adrian Madaschi, Ecuadorean striker Edson Montano, teenager attacker Josh Barresi and Northern Ireland international Johnny Steele.
Steele agreed to terms on Sunday and is expected to arrive next week from the US, where he had been playing alongside Tim Cahill and Thiery Henry at New York Red Bulls.
Steele's signature followed the release on Friday of Josh Brillante to join Italian club Fiorentina.
"Johnny was always coming," Stubbins said.
"He is experienced, is a left-sided player and brings more competition and balance to the team.
"Depending on the formation we go into, he is someone who can play capably in a 4-4-3 wide on the left, or on the left in a diamond midfield."
Steele's inclusion leaves three places on the roster to fill.
Stubbins has pigeon-holed one for a holding midfielder.
Trialists Nick Ward and left stopper Sam Gallagher are also in contention.
Meanwhile, the Jets are poised to appoint former player Neil Young as the goalkeeper coach.
We aren't a "glamour" club or based in a capital city so we are never going to be able to attract big names, we have to get better at finding blokes who everyone's reaction to is "who the hell is that?" and then having them surprise everyone.