NEWCASTLE Jets are in talks with former Adelaide midfielder Cameron Watson.
A defensive utility equally comfortable in the centre of the park or at right fullback, Watson played 106 games for the Reds in five seasons.
A permanent fixture in the Adelaide side for three years, he struggled for game time under Josep Gombau and was used predominantly as a back-up to Spanish playmaker Isias.
The 28-year-old, who played in Portugal and Holland as a teenager, had been training with Melbourne City and is expected in Newcastle later this week.
The Jets have 16 players contracted, including trainee Brandon Lundy.
Ben Kantarovski, who is back running after groin surgery, is the only recognised defensive midfielder on the roster three weeks ahead of the FFA Cup opener against Perth Glory at Magic Park.
With money tight under the $2.6million salary cap,
new coach Scott Miller is likely to go with a 21-man squad.
Two places have been earmarked for foreigners and key positions in the front third.
A-League regulars Iain Ramsay and Kofi Danning trained with the Jets last week.
Ramsay left Australia on Monday to pursue an offer in Iran.
Danning will join fellow triallists Aryn Williams, Max Burgess and Pat Antelmi at Ray Watt Oval on Tuesday.
New Zealand international Leo Bertos will also train with the Jets ahead of a stint in the Indian Premier League but is not chasing a deal.
Williams is the younger brother of Socceroo and Middlesbrough centre back Rhys.
The 21-year-old spent three years at English Championship club Burnley but has most recently been playing in the Western Australian State League.
Burgess, an attacking midfielder, played five game for the Jets at the end of last season on a short-term deal.
Antelmi, who played youth football at Leeds United and Wigan, trained with the Jets in March.
The contract hopefuls will feature in an intraclub trial on Wednesday.
The Jets depart on a six-day Northern NSW tour next Wednesday that will include a hit-out in Armidale on July 31. Four Northern Inland players will bolster numbers for a Jets A v Jets B clash.
They will meet Central Coast Mariners behind closed doors at Central Coast Stadium on August 5.
The Jets had to cancel a trial against Adamstown Rosebud due to insufficient lighting at Adamstown Oval.
Meanwhile, 2014-15 Jets members will be able to renew their commitment to the club starting Wednesday.
Details will be on the club website and there will also be a membership hotline.
Originally Posted by Cyc10n
