FORMER Everton and Arsenal star Francis Jeffers is set to make his much-anticipated debut for the Newcastle Jets
FORMER Everton and Arsenal star Francis Jeffers is set to make his much-anticipated debut for the Newcastle Jets against high-flying Adelaide United at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Saturday night.
Jeffers was granted a visa yesterday and is awaiting only an international transfer clearance, which is considered a formality, before he begins a 10-game guest stint.
“His visa has been approved and is ready to go,” Jets chief executive John Tsatsimas said.
“We are just waiting for the ITC to come through and we do not anticipate that being an issue.
“We have been dealing with the English FA and hope to have it either tonight or tomorrow.”
Jeffers is the first guest player the Newcastle Jets have signed and the first major addition since millionaire Nathan Tinkler took over the ownership of the club two months ago.
“It is an indication of where the club wants to be and what it hopes to achieve,” Tsatsimas said.
Guest players can be used for a maximum of 10 games, which must be consecutive.
If Jeffers starts on Saturday, his final game will be the round-22 clash against Sydney on January 3.
He is likely to take on the David Beckham-led LA Galaxy in a friendly on November 27, which does not count towards his quota.
Having scored just five goals in 11 games, the Jets are in need of inspiration in the final third of the season.
Coach Branko Culina said the Jets were not in a position to bring dual championship-winning midfielder Stuart Musialik back to the club.
Sydney FC have told the 23-year-old Olyroos playmaker that he is free to look for another club, because contract talks have broken down.
“Obviously he is a good player but defensive midfield is not a priority for us at the moment,” Culina said
“We were interested in Stuart Musialik last year but he chose to stay with Sydney.
“We went out and bought a couple of midfielders.
“We now have Kasey Wehrman, Ruben Zadkovich, Ben Kantarovski, Jobe Wheelhouse and Marcello Fiorentini.
“If we were to look at another midfielder it would be a more a creative player.”
Musialik is believed to have attracted interest from Jets arch rivals Central Coast Mariners.
The Jets have appointed Adam Waterson as their strength and conditioning coach.
