Carl Robinson and his coaching staff are set to return to Australia in the coming days and be reunited with the playing squad in a matter of weeks.
Robinson, along with Kenny Miller will head to Australia, from Canada and Scotland respectively, this week. Darren Bazeley will link up with the pair for the first time as a member of the Newcastle Jets, already in quarantine in Sydney having crossed the ditch from New Zealand on Tuesday.
The three will complete that mandatory two-week quarantine period before getting into things at Ray Watt Oval, with a squad that has seen some movement since Newcastle’s last fixture in mid March.
A number of players from the Club’s Youth Team and Academy have been promoted into the training squad for this period. These include Lucas Mauragis, Ryan Goodhew, Pat Bond, Bailey Wells, Sasha Montefiore, Archie Goodwin, and Jack Kenny.
Bobby Burns’ loan deal with the Club has ended and he’s since returned to his parent club, Hearts, in Scotland.
Wes Hoolahan returned to the UK for personal reasons and won’t be back for the remainder of the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season, however talks are positive regarding a return to Newcastle for next season.
Likewise, Joe Ledley returned to the UK but he will be back for the season restart with the Welsh midfielder set to board a flight headed Down Under imminently.
As reported last week, Glen Moss (retired) and Kaine Sheppard (mutual termination) will also not return.
Coach Carl Robinson has reaffirmed his commitment to Newcastle and to the youth of the Club, with this period fast-tracking the decision to take a look at youngsters from the Academy and Youth Team.
“They likely would have been asked in for pre-season, but this will be an early opportunity and some may stay throughout the season with an opportunity for some game minutes,” Robinson said.
“With all the uncertainty that has been throughout this process, one thing has always remained and that is my desire to return to Newcastle for the project that I committed to in February.
“We will continue to get to work as we try to continue our excellent form prior to the stoppage. Things will certainly be a little different but we all get to do something that we love, playing, watching and bringing enjoyment back through this tough period.
