New frontier ... Zenon Caravella will try his luck at Newcastle Jets. Source: AAP
Newcastle Jets are poised to sign Adelaide attacking midfielder Zenon Caravella, with the Reds star set to link with the club as early as Wednesday.
Caravella, 29, Adelaide's player of the year last season, was released by the club late Tuesday and sources said he was headed for Newcastle and was likely to train with the Jets today.
Neither Jets CEO Robbie Middleby or coach Gary van Egmond could be contacted last night to confirm or deny the signing.
The former Gold Coast midfielder was a standout for the Reds in his debut season with the club, but has been in and out of the top team this season, prompting the move.
His signing is expected to heap further pressure on Jets skipper Jobe Wheelhouse,who remains unsigned for next season and admitted yesterday his A-League future may not lie with his home-town club.
While the Jets have not entertained granting Wheelhouse a release despite rumoured interest from rival clubs, his long-term prospects at the club remain clouded and speculation will only grow with Caravella's signing.
After being sidelined for a month with a knee injury, the skipper failed to win back his starting spot and has spent the past two games playing limited minutes off the bench.
To complicate the issue, stand-in skipper Ruben Zadkovich has been outstanding in the midfield since taking the captain's armband and has formed an impressive partnership with youngster Josh Brillante in the centre of the park.
Wheelhouse gets an opportunity to lead the side again against Wellington in Wellington on Sunday but only because Zadkovich will miss the trip due to suspension.
Wheelhouse's future could hinge on how well he performs across the ditch but he is adamant the team comes first.
"I've just got to go out and do the best for the team," he said yesterday.
"Ruben's been our best player for the past few weeks. I'll come in and do the best I can. If I do well, Dutchy (van Egmond) will have a decision to make on who he drops or who he leaves in.
"I've been good (fitness- wise) for over a fortnight now. That's what the coaching staff's been told and it's Dutchy's choice to start me on the bench the last two games and that's fine."
Wheelhouse admitted there was interest elsewhere.
"I guess that comes when Newcastle hasn't really tabled anything to me yet," he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment