Mariners relax purse strings to chase Tommy Oar and Ross McCormack

It’s a sizeable shift in direction that could see the resurgence of the Central Coast Mariners as a force in the A-League.

Central Coast target Tommy Oar in action for Brisbane Roar last year. Picture: Getty Images

It’s a sizeable shift in direction that could see the resurgence of the Central Coast Mariners as a force in the A-League.

As the new season approaches, much-maligned Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth is giving new hope to the club’s long-suffering fans, who have had to endure four diabolical seasons in a row, including two wooden spoons from the past three campaigns.

But the new direction is not all about Usain Bolt, whose trial for a professional contract with the club has made headlines around the world.

Perhaps more importantly, it has to do with Charlesworth being prepared to invest more money into strengthening the playing squad and that means loosening the budget restraints that have seriously affected the club’s ability to compete successfully on the field in recent times.

That decision is expected to lead to two quality signings. Club sources suggest former Socceroo Tommy Oar and classy but controversial Scottish striker Ross McCormack could be at the ­Gosford club by the end of next week.

The 27-year-old Oar, who brokered a release from Cypriot club APOEL earlier this week, is expected to arrive in Sydney on Monday to complete the deal.

McCormack, who had an outstanding stint with Melbourne City last season, is tied to English championship club Aston Villa but negotiations are in advanced ­stages for him to join the Mariners on a loan deal.

They will add considerable class and depth to a Mariners squad that has looked good in pre-season under new coach Mike Mulvey.

An A-League championship winner with Brisbane Roar, ­Mulvey, with the help of the club owner, has already been ­influential in bringing some decent players to the Mariners, including Matt Simon, Aiden O’Neill, Michael McGlinchey, Khalifa Cisse, Corey Gameiro and Jack Clisby.

It has been well documented that Charlesworth, often criticised by Mariners fans because of a supposed lack of ambition for the club, has rarely gone close to using the full $2.928 million A-League salary cap since he took over the club in 2012.

Instead, he has preferred to operate within the cap floor of 90 per cent of the cap ($2.635m) to keep a tight rein on the finances.

This has often left the club at a serious disadvantage as coaches have been forced to search for low-key visa players or bargain-basement locals.

As a result, the Mariners have not figured in the finals since the 2013-14 season, the year after they won the championship under then coach Graham Arnold.

They have won just 18 of their past 118 games in the A-League.

An attacking midfielder, Oar, capped 28 times for the Socceroos, is desperate to rejuvenate his ­career after a season-long stint with APOEL, where he played 19 games. He would add some spark to the Mariners attack.

McCormack was a sensation with City. In just 16 games he scored a phenomenal 14 goals by the time his loan deal finished ­before the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Melbourne City have signed former Belgium international Ritchie De Laet, who has signed on loan from Aston Villa as the club’s second marquee.

The defender, capped twice for Belgium in 2009, has a quality ­resume that includes stints with Manchester United, Portsmouth, Leicester City, Middlesbrough and Villa. He was part of the Leicester squad that won the English Premier League title in 2016.

Mitch Austin has been given a career lifeline after signing a one-year deal to join Newcastle Jets for the new season.

The speedy winger has been trialling with the Jets for the past month and did enough to impress coach Ernie Merrick, who believes his utility value will be an asset.

The 27-year-old, who can play out wide or as a striker, had mixed fortunes during two seasons at Melbourne Victory, playing 24 games and scoring four goals. His game time was limited after he had to undergo a knee reconstruction late last year.