Heskey sticking with Jets

Marquee ... Emile Heskey set to stay in Newcastle for another season. Source: Liam Driver / News Limited

As they prepare for Friday's all-or-nothing battle for a finals berth against Western Sydney, the fight to retain marquee striker Emile Heskey has already been won by Newcastle Jets.

In a massive boost on the eve of one of the club's biggest games since the 2008 A-League grand final, it us understood reveal Heskey has ended speculation on his future by agreeing to a new one-year deal with the Hunter club.

He is expected to sign a new contract package worth around $750,000 within the next 10 days with only some minor details left to be nutted out between the club and Heskey's lawyers.

The package is said to be worth less than half of what the former England striker could have earned if he'd accepted offers from Asia, the Middle East and Russia.

But Heskey has maintained for quite some time he has loved his time in Newcastle and his first preference was always to remain for another season if he could work something out with the club.

"Money is not the be-all and end-all for me now," Heskey said recently.

Jets CEO Robbie Middleby played a straight bat to questioning about the striker's future, refusing to confirm or deny any deal with Heskey has been finalised.

"I can't give you anything concrete about Emile at this stage," Middleby said.

But a well-placed source close to the club was far more forthcoming.

"He's staying. The money's right and the deal's been done," the source said.

"It's just a matter of fixing up a few of the minor details which will be a formality.

"Heskey is planning on going home to England at the end of this season for three months before coming back out in August for the start of pre-season training.

"One of the things he'll be sorting out when he goes back home is his plans for his family.

"They've stayed in England while he's been out here but bringing them back out with him now that he has sorted things out is obviously something he will look at."

Heskey's commitment to the club, coming close on the heels of the re-signing of Michael Bridges, is certain to give the youthful Jets outfit a massive boost.

After missing the club's past three games, Heskey's presence on the park and combination with Bridges will be crucial if the Jets are to get the outcome they so desire.

It is make or break time for the club.

Nothing short of a victory and the three points will be good enough for the home side, who sit just outside the top six going into the final round.

The fact there is so much at stake with the Wanderers needing a draw to secure the Premier's Plate only adds to the theatre of what should be a pulsating clash.

Boosted by more than 6000 Wanderers fans, officials are optimistic a crowd of more than 20,000 will be at Hunter Stadium.

Adding spice to the contest are the six former Jets players in the visitors' squad.

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Heskey sticking with Jets

Marquee ... Emile Heskey set to stay in Newcastle for another season. Source: Liam Driver / News Limited

As they prepare for Friday's all-or-nothing battle for a finals berth against Western Sydney, the fight to retain marquee striker Emile Heskey has already been won by Newcastle Jets.

In a massive boost on the eve of one of the club's biggest games since the 2008 A-League grand final, it us understood reveal Heskey has ended speculation on his future by agreeing to a new one-year deal with the Hunter club.

He is expected to sign a new contract package worth around $750,000 within the next 10 days with only some minor details left to be nutted out between the club and Heskey's lawyers.

The package is said to be worth less than half of what the former England striker could have earned if he'd accepted offers from Asia, the Middle East and Russia.

But Heskey has maintained for quite some time he has loved his time in Newcastle and his first preference was always to remain for another season if he could work something out with the club.

"Money is not the be-all and end-all for me now," Heskey said recently.

Jets CEO Robbie Middleby played a straight bat to questioning about the striker's future, refusing to confirm or deny any deal with Heskey has been finalised.

"I can't give you anything concrete about Emile at this stage," Middleby said.

But a well-placed source close to the club was far more forthcoming.

"He's staying. The money's right and the deal's been done," the source said.

"It's just a matter of fixing up a few of the minor details which will be a formality.

"Heskey is planning on going home to England at the end of this season for three months before coming back out in August for the start of pre-season training.

"One of the things he'll be sorting out when he goes back home is his plans for his family.

"They've stayed in England while he's been out here but bringing them back out with him now that he has sorted things out is obviously something he will look at."

Heskey's commitment to the club, coming close on the heels of the re-signing of Michael Bridges, is certain to give the youthful Jets outfit a massive boost.

After missing the club's past three games, Heskey's presence on the park and combination with Bridges will be crucial if the Jets are to get the outcome they so desire.

It is make or break time for the club.

Nothing short of a victory and the three points will be good enough for the home side, who sit just outside the top six going into the final round.

The fact there is so much at stake with the Wanderers needing a draw to secure the Premier's Plate only adds to the theatre of what should be a pulsating clash.

Boosted by more than 6000 Wanderers fans, officials are optimistic a crowd of more than 20,000 will be at Hunter Stadium.

Adding spice to the contest are the six former Jets players in the visitors' squad.

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Heskey the next to commit

Dynamic duo ... Emile Heskey and Michael Bridges still going strong.  Source: The Daily Telegraph

They are the star English double act pivotal to the Newcastle Jets chances of reaching the A-League play-offs this season.

But in the build-up to Friday's crucial clash against Brisbane Roar, Emile Heskey and Michael Bridges have revealed their goals are not just short term with the club.

Both can sense the Jets are building towards something special and are keen for their own on-field partnership to stretch beyond the end of the current campaign.

Heskey did not try to hide his desire to stay in Newcastle - a huge boost to the league on the back of Del Piero's imminent re-signing.

He is now waiting on a firm contract offer from the Jets before officially settling his future.

"I've met with the club and they've said they will get something in writing to me so that's what I'm waiting on,"Heskey said.

"I've got a few other options but I'm happy to stay.

"It's been good. It's been refreshing, it's been exciting and the young lads here have really helped me feel that way as well.

"I'm excited about what lies ahead for the lads and the team here."

At 34, Bridges is seven months younger than Heskey and hardly one of the "young lads".

But there is enormous mutual respect between the pair.

Their friendship stretches back 18 years when they roomed together as teenagers while playing for England Under 17's.

Bridges had a role in getting Heskey to the club and says keeping him around is a must.

"He's been fantastic, not only for Newcastle but for the A-League," Bridges said. "And him being here means I'm not the oldest."

As for his own future, Bridges knows he still has work to do to convince coach Gary van Egmond he deserves another contract.

A crowd favourite, he had only his first start for the season alongside Heskey in the 2-0 win over Melbourne Heart a week ago and while he was outstanding, he knows his future rests on more than one game.

"You want to play as long as you can,"Bridges said.

"I love Newcastle. I'm settled here and hopefully one way or another, I can sit down and sort something out with the Jets.

"I'll just use the rest of the season to put my best foot forward and do my best for this football club.

"It will be up to Gary (coach Van Egmond) after that to see if I'm on board again for next season but I want to keep playing."

Heskey says room has to be found in the roster for Bridges.

"Definately,"he said.

"The thing with Bridgy outside his own football ability is his experience and just the way he interacts and helps the young lads.

"He's given a lot to the club.

"It's been tough for him this season not getting on the park all that much but it's never affected his professionalism and the way he's gone about things at training and with the lads."

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