THE Newcastle Jets could be set to add a one-two punch to their roster.
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The Newcastle Herald understands the Jets are in talks with Welsh international Joe Ledley and former Socceroos striker Bernie Ibini.
Both players are free agents and share the same management company, Avid Sports Group, as Jets head coach Carl Robinson, assistant Kenny Miller and a number of the players.
Neither has agreed to terms and there appears to be a couple of stumbling blocks, but it would be a coup if the Jets could snare one or both signatures.
Ledley may have to wait until next season as the Jets already have their quota of five visa players.
Ibini is living in Sydney and is without a club after a move to Esteghlal in Iran broke down in January.
The forward, who has two caps for Australia, helped Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors take out the title in Korea last year and was reported to be keen on a return to Asia.
He spent a year under Robinson at the Vancouver Whitecaps in Major League Soccer and has a long relationship with CEO Lawrie McKinna, who gave him an A-League debut at the Mariners in 2009.
Ledley, a midfielder with 77 caps for Wales, has been training with English League Two club Newport County after completing a short-term deal at Championship outfit Charlton Athletic.
Before Charlton, he had stints at Derby County (30 games), Crystal Palace (83), Celtic (106) and Cardiff City (229)
Recently turned 33, Ledley last played for Wales in 2018 and in an interview with the BBC last month said he hoped to earn a spot in the squad for the 2020 European Championships.
Jets coach Carl Robinson played alongside Ledley for Wales.
Working against the Jets is distance. Ledley has a young family and after ending his one-month contract at Charlton expressed a desire to be close to home town Cardiff.
Meanwhile, Kosta Petratos hopes to convince Robinson that he is worth another contract.
Lacking opportunities under previous coach Ernie Merrick, Petratos has played the past three games off the bench, which has co-incided with the Jets' unbeaten run.
"I am just happy to get my chance," Petratos said. "Everyone has a clean slate under Carl, but I was working hard even before that."
The younger brother of Socceroo Dimi, admitted it was frustrating not to be playing.
"I spoke to Dimi and a few of the older boys like Hoff," he said. "They told me to work hard, keep my head down and do the right things. Hopefully it pays off."
Petratos, 21, scored eight goals in five games, including four in one, for the Jets in the national youth league season.
"For any striker, scoring goals is the main thing," he said. "It gives you confidence, which helps at training. My goal is to get into the [A-League] team, do what I can to help the team and earn myself a contract."
"I love it here. Even though I haven't had much game time, the environment is good and the players are a good bunch.
"Hopefully in the next year or whatever it is, I want a starting spot."
