Jets coach plays down David Carney transfer rumours and instead focuses on team spirit

NEWCASTLE coach Scott Miller is hoping headlines about David Carney’s future won’t overshadow his side’s quest for back-to-back A-League wins.

NEWCASTLE Jets coach Scott Miller is desperately hoping a week of headlines about the uncertain playing future of veteran David Carney won’t overshadow his side’s quest for back-to-back A-League wins.

But speculation about a potential immediate player swap deal involving Carney and Sydney FC won’t go away as the Jets prepare to take on Perth at Hunter Stadium.

Miller was reluctant to buy into the Carney contract debate with rumours swirling around he is not in the Jets’ plans for next season.

“All week it’s been overshadowed,’’ Miller said of his side’s drought breaking win over Wellington last Sunday.

“I think the playing group didn’t get the respect or credit they deserved.

“More should be written about the positive result of the team and the win they had as opposed to one player.’’

Asked about Carney’s future, Miller said:

“David’s a player of interest and always has been and last time I checked his contract, it was until the end of the season.

“That’s the level of commitment I’m wanting from David.’’

But Sydney is said to be very keen to pick up Carney immediately to boost their A-League and Asian Champions League campaigns with talk of a possible player swap between the two clubs to facilitate the deal going through.

David Carney looks set to return to the Sky Blue of Sydney FC.

Meanwhile, the Jets’ 3-1 result against Wellington has them just four points shy of the top six leading into this weekend’s round despite their goalscoring drought and run of 10 consecutive games without a win prior to last weekend.

All three points against the Glory could see them within touching distance of the six.

“Our mentality is now to compound the pressure on the teams in the top six and really push them until the end of the season,’’ Miller said.

“If results go our way this week and we’re in control of it to a degree, we are only one point off.

“That is a nice place to be considering the last 10 weeks and the lack of points we did pick up. So on reflection, it’s an opportunity for the players.”

The Jets will be without suspended midfielder Ben Kantarovski, leaving Miller with a decision to make.

New Olyroo signing Steven Ugarkovic has linked with the club but it seems unlikely Miller would toss him into the fray as a starter after just one training session. Cameron Watson or Nick Cowburn appear more likely starting options with Brazilian import Leonardo.

“I’m pretty clear in terms of what person I want to play there and what my demands are,’’ he said.

“It’s up to them if they can execute it or not.’’

Miller gave little away about his plans for Brazilian import Leonardo, who must be getting awfully close to a recall after several games on the sideline through injury.

Originally published as Jets coach plays down David Carney transfer rumours and instead focuses on team spirit