Mercurial Gold Coast United striker Tahj Minniecon's proposed shift to Newcastle looks to be off the cards.
Mercurial Gold Coast United striker Tahj Minniecon's proposed shift to Newcastle looks to be off the cards.
The 22-year-old hurt his heel in United's 3-1 National Youth League win away to Sydney FC and was on crutches at their training session at Carrara on Tuesday.
The former Roar whizkid has had an injury-plagued spell on the Glitter Strip with his most recent pre-season interrupted due to fitness concerns, leaving him with only one A-League appearance this term.
Minniecon has also struggled with form, as the club's other young attackers have leapfrogged him in the pecking order. At times, he has even been overlooked for selection with their NYL team.
He looked set to switch to the Jets - reportedly in a swap deal with Chris Payne - as a prime target of Gary van Egmond, who looms as a major player in the transfer market as he moves to rebuild his squad.
But news of Minniecon's latest injury will put van Egmond's pursuit of him on hold, leaving the under-23 marquee player high and dry and on the outer at Gold Coast.
Meanwhile, captain Michael Thwaite hopes the club's billionaire owner, Clive Palmer, will to listen to the players for ideas on how to approach their future.
All bar up to eight United players come off-contract this season and few have begun discussions of renewals at this stage, their skipper included.
The Coast saw a mass exodus prior to this season, with Jason Culina, Shane Smeltz, Bruce Djite, Bas van den Brink, Dino Djulbic, Zenon Caravella and Steve Pantelidis all leaving for greener pastures.
Thwaite, who wants to remain at the club but has not yet been offered a contract, said if the club's hierarchy did not learn from their mistakes the same thing could happen again.
"Clive and Miron and Clive Mensink will do it in their own time. Last time, the longer they waited the players started to leave. We don't want that to happen with this group," he said.
"Security is always a good thing. Everyone doesn't want to be a free agent so the sooner it is resolved, the better.
"The core of every team within the A-League (should be) packed with experienced players, and you've got the less experienced, more youthful ones out wide."
The United captain said he had a five-year plan of his own in his head on how to develop the club, who've been heavily criticized for management decisions and battles with the PFA over contracts.
Along with the other older heads at Robina, Thwaite said he was ready to offer mining tycoon Palmer advice on how to turn Gold Coast into a powerhouse.
"I have some terrific ideas that I can give from my own experiences at successful clubs, within Australia and overseas," he said.
"Clive needs to be open-minded about getting experience from us players about the future.
"I want to put it to him. Every time I get a chance I'm always straight forward to him so honesty is the key."