Jets upping the ante Move to extend Covic deal as future planning kicks into gear

THE NEWCASTLE HERALD

By James Gardiner

THE Newcastle Jets have offered goalkeeper Ante Covic a two-year contract extension in what director of football Remo Nogarotto described as the first step towards ensuring the club remained competitive long term.

Nogarotto has also held preliminary discussion with Jets and A-League player of the year Joel Griffiths with a view to keeping him at the club until the end of the 2011-12 season.

On the negative side, Joel's twin Adam Griffiths has lost patience with the Jets and will explore his options when he heads to Europe next week.

Adam Griffiths signed with the Jets for two years but has a get-out clause that must be exercised before the end of April.

"I have been waiting to hear from the Jets about an extension to my contract but have not heard a thing," Adam said. "I think it is an ideal time to be doing that. I want to secure my future with the club. They know my situation, but I have not heard a thing.

"I'm not going to go into the club and say, 'I want a new contract.' I think my performances on the pitch should be rewarded.

"I have been as loyal as I can. I have not talked to other Australian clubs, and I kept it quiet that I have a get-out clause.

"I fly to England next week. If they want to talk to me they can. If they don't, who knows what will happen."

He returned to Newcastle last season after three years in Europe, which included stints at Oostende (Belgium), Brentford, Watford and Bournemouth (all England).

Since returning, he has forced his way into the Socceroos and has already attracted interest from China, where his younger brother Ryan has a lucrative deal at Liaoning.

Nogarotto said Adam Griffiths was the "next cab off the rank" in terms of contract extensions.

"Ante Covic's manager, Bernie Mandic, is in receipt of an offer to extend his existing contract by two years," Nogarotto told The Herald from Italy, where he works for Macquarie Bank.

"With respect to Joel [Griffiths], a conversation has already transpired this week between [Jets owner] Con [Constantine] and his agent.

"I am now trying to finetune a potential three-year extension.

"Next cab off the rank will be Adam, and we also intend to put something on the table for Jade [who also has a year to run]."

Retaining all four may not be easy for the Jets.

Joel Griffiths, who opened his goalscoring account for Japanese club Avispa Fukuoka where he is on loan on Saturday, and North have talked recently about moving overseas to increases their chances of Socceroos selection.

It has been six weeks since the Jets overpowered Central Coast 1-0 to win the A-League title.

In that time, Stuart Musialik, Mark Bridge (both Sydney), Andrew Durante and Troy Hearfield (both Wellington) have departed.

Nogarotto, who returned to Rome on Sunday after attending the Jets presentation night last Friday, said negotiations were continuing with a number of players, headed by Australian youth defended Adrian Madaschi, Sydney utility Ruben Zadkovich and Australian Institute of Sport striker Jason Naidovski.

Jets coach Gary van Egmond will visit Nogarotto in Italy this month and they will assess potential recruits, including Madaschi.

"I am going to watch Madaschi this weekend and then there is a key game he is playing on April 20 which I'd like Gary to see," Nogarotto said.

"It is a big game against good opposition, and we will get a reasonable idea what his form is like.

"We will also travel to Switzerland to watch a Nigerian boy play in the first division. There is also a striker here in Italy, who could be a potential marquee player and two young players who are in Serie C.

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