THE Jets have not ruled out making a play for Dwight Yorke if talks with Italian marquee target Fabio Vignaroli break down.
The Jets were close to signing the former Manchester United star to a six-month contract in November, but a clash between the Asian Champions League and the next stage of Trinidad and Tobago's 2010 World Cup qualifying put an end to the deal.
"The money was not a problem; it was purely a clash of calendars," said Jets high-performance manager Ian Crook, who left shortly after to join Norwich City.
Instead the Jets upgraded Joel Griffiths to marquee status on a three-year deal and signed former Lazio midfielder Vignaroli for the ACL.
Griffiths forfeited marquee status for the first year of his contract when he was loaned out to Beijing Guoan, opening the way for the Jets to approach Vignaroli about extending his stay.
The Italian, who has been troubled recently by a hamstring injury, has returned to his homeland for a break and was to meet with Jets' Rome-based director of football Remo Nogarotto overnight.
"Let's wait and see what happens with Fabio," Jets technical director Branko Culina said.
"With Fabio you know what you are getting. That is the advantage.
"But if it seems like Fabio is a no go we will revisit all other options.
"I was aware there were some discussions previously with Dwight but that has not been raised as yet."
Yorke, who will be 38 in November and made his 62nd and final appearance for Sunderland against Manchester United last month, has made no secret of his desire to return to the A-League, where he helped Sydney to a championship.
"Dwight York was a huge influence at Sydney FC but that was four years ago," Culina said. "Sydney is a different proposition to Newcastle.
"Players like that are terrific for the game and I am sure they have a lot to offer. You have to look at your own situation and see whether it is feasible.