Jets leading pack in Burns hunt

Burns remains contracted with Korean club Incheon United but is understood to be eager to leave due to a lack of game time and is weighing up an offer to join the Jets. The 25 year-old has been limited to just three games since joining the K-League club in January 2012 due to initial struggles with injury before falling out of favour with new coach Kim Bong-Gil.

Newcastle chief executive Robbie Middleby confirmed his intention to bring the attacking midfielder to Hunter Stadium to help rejuvenate his career but denied reports that Burns has already arrived to sign with the Jets.

''I think somebody like Nathan to come back to the A–League would be a really positive thing for the league as a whole and the Jets,'' Middleby said.

''He's definitely not flying to Newcastle this week, he's still under contract with Incheon and he's part of their set up. Nothing from the club's point has been agreed and signed off yet.''

Newcastle struggled to mount a challenge for a top six spot after losing experienced forward Ryan Griffiths just five games before the finals and have made it a priority to bolster their forward line for next season. Burns is equally adapt at playing as an attacking midfielder or on the wing but the Jets have identified him as a potential striking partner to marquee-man Emile Heskey. The former England striker's history of successful combinations with smaller forwards is the basis of the Jets belief that Burns will be comfortably slot into their system.

''You see Emile Heskey playing his whole career with the likes of Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen running off him... I think we've made it well documented that we need another attacking option and somebody who can compliment Emile Heskey,'' Middleby said.

''I think from our point of view, you see a lot of foreign players in their second year, they understand what's required in the competition here and we're really excited about the prospects of Emile coming here and having a big season for the club and the competition.''

Burns has another year to run on his deal with Incheon and has not sought an early release to return back to Australia. It's understood that the Jets are offering the former Adelaide United and AEK Athens player a non-marquee contract that will be contained within the salary cap.

Newcastle are also in the hunt for another centre back to add experience to their defensive line after releasing the foreign pair of Dominik Ritter and Tiago Calvano at the end of last season.