Roar defender Jade North hopes loan move can keep World Cup dream alive - Herald Sun

Roar defender Jade North is considering a spell in Asia to give himself the best chance of Socceroos selection. Picture: A Armstrong Source: The Courier-Mail

Brisbane Roar coach Mike Mulvey says their Friday clash with Newcastle Jets is chance for revenge.

Brisbane Roar coach Mike Mulvey defends the fans who displayed a banner reading "MULVEY OUT".

BRISBANE Roar's failure to reach the AFC Champions League group stages has Jade North considering a short-term loan move to Asia.

Such a move would give North the best chance of playing for Australia in three World Cup qualifiers in June.

Had the Roar qualified for the group segment of Asia's biggest club tournament, the defender would have been guaranteed football until May.

But Brisbane's penalty shootout loss to Buriram United in Thailand last week means the Roar's season could be over by March 28, and at the latest the April 20-21 A-League grand final weekend.

With the Socceroos meeting Japan, Jordan and Iraq in June, North wants to be playing regular football for as long as possible in the build-up to the trio of World Cup qualifiers.

North, who joined the Roar last month from Japanese club Consadole Sapporo, made the most recent of his 39 Socceroos appearances in September and is desperate to remain part of national coach Holger Osieck's 2014 World Cup plans.

"I've been a big part of it so far," 31-year-old North said.

"Playing in Japan lifted that chance for me to play regularly for Australia, and there's no reason why I can't still do it but obviously there's a big gap in between the A-League season and those games in June.

"It'll be hard for the A-League boys. I'll probably have to sit down and try to work out something with the Roar (in terms of a loan move)."

North is determined to not only reach the A-League semi-finals, but still be alive on grand final day.

With the Roar just two points outside the top six, tonight's clash at Hunter Stadium against sixth-placed Newcastle - who North captained to the 2007-08 A-League championship - is crucial to Brisbane's hopes.

"It's so tight at the moment but our fate's still in our own hands," he said.

Meanwhile, the Roar yesterday announced that midfielder Luke Brattan, who turns 23 next month, had re-signed with the club for two more years.