IN-FORM winger David Carney has shown faith in the Newcastle Jets by knocking back an expression of interest from Sydney FC.
Carney, the 30-year-old playmaker who has appeared in all 11 of Newcastle’s games this season, said he had been approached by a Sydney representative recently about the possibility of making a mid-season transfer.
‘‘They contacted me, but I’m happy at Newcastle,’’ Carney said.
‘‘I want to stay and give everything for the boys. We’ve not had a great start, and the last thing I want is to leave. I’m thankful for the interest, but my mind is fully on the Jets.’’
Raised in Campbelltown, Carney played 38 games for Sydney between 2005 and 2007 and was a key member of the ‘‘Bling FC’’ team who won the inaugural A-League championship.
‘‘I had great times at Sydney when I was there, but at the moment I’m really concentrating on Newcastle,’’ he said.
‘‘I’m happy here and enjoying my football. I’m hoping we can improve as a team, and my mind is on the Newcastle Jets.’’
Jets chief executive Robbie Middleby said Carney, who is under contract to Newcastle until the end of next season, had informed the club out of courtesy that he had been approached by Sydney but denied the former Socceroo had requested a release.
‘‘Dave came to us and said Sydney had been in contact, but he knocked it on the head straight away,’’ Middleby said.
‘‘He’s done the right thing by us. He informed us as soon as they contacted him, but he’s happy here in Newcastle and, from our point of view, he’s a required player.
‘‘It’s good that someone as influential as Dave is committed and wants to be at this club.’’
Asked if he was disappointed that Sydney had targeted a contracted Jets player, Middleby declined to comment, other than to say all clubs were looking at their rosters with the January transfer window looming.
The Jets announced on Tuesday night that they had released Carney’s former New York Red Bulls teammate Jonny Steele, who has been in the US for the past month after seeking compassionate leave.
One possible replacement for Steele, 34-year-old Adelaide left back Cassio, was released by the South Australian club on Tuesday after falling out with coach Josep Gombau.
Carney said he had not spoken to Steele since his departure.
‘‘He’s a good player,’’ Carney said. ‘‘He’s really aggressive and he worked hard and he would have been great for the team if he came back.
‘‘But I’m sure he’s got his reasons why he left and the club’s got their reasons. I wish him all the best. He’s a good lad.’’
Carney said Newcastle were aiming to carry the momentum from last week’s 2-1 win against Adelaide into Saturday’s clash with Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park.
‘‘Obviously getting the monkey off the back is important, but we know it’s a hard game coming up, so we’re not celebrating too much,’’ he said.
‘‘You can always come back down to earth pretty quickly, especially in the A-League . . . they [Melbourne] are a very good side.
‘‘But we’ve proved that we can beat one of the best in Adelaide, so hopefully we can do that against Melbourne.’’
Carney said Newcastle needed to retain the ball better against the Victory.
‘‘I think we got 36 per cent of possession [against Adelaide], so we need to be better at that,’’ he said. ‘‘The players know that.
‘‘We need to work on it. That’s probably why the players are cramping up at the end, because we’re putting all our work into defending. If we can get better at that, I think we’ve got the players to do well.’’
Striker Edson Montano is expected to play, despite being replaced against Adelaide with what appeared a serious calf injury. He trained strongly enough on Tuesday to suggest Phil Stubbins will be able to field an unchanged side.