<
>

Newcastle Jets keen to offload 'disappointing' Aleksandr Kokko

Finnish striker Aleksandr Kokko's stint with the Newcastle Jets appears destined for a premature end, with the A-League club open to offers to jettison the import.

Injuries and poor form have limited Kokko, who joined the club a two-season deal last August, to three starts from his eight games in 2016-17.

He is yet to score a goal in the A-League.

The 29-year-old has been dropped from the Jets' squad for Friday night's clash with Melbourne City in Coffs Harbour after failing to make an impact in a rare start against the Western Sydney Wanderers last weekend.

Jets coach Mark Jones refused to guarantee his future at the club, which sits eighth on the ladder.

"I was disappointed with his contribution last week,'' Jones told Fairfax Media.

"He's not done enough to warrant a spot in the squad. We were hoping for more.

"If an offer came in, we'd be willing to let him go.''

Kokko has been held back by an achilles injury and a broken jaw.

He makes way as midfielder Andrew Hoole (suspension) and attacker Morten Nordstrand (concussion) return against City.

Kokko played four years in the Finnish top-flight with Rovaniemen Palloseura (RoPS), where he scored 54 goals in 102 league appearances.