JETS utility Jason Hoffman says that A-League players are desperate to finish the season and are willing to take a pay cut as long as the reduction is fair.
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Hoffman resumed running on Monday after a two-week lay-off following emergency surgery to remove his appendix on Mother's Day.
A-League clubs are flagged to start training on June 15, with the competition set to restart in mid July.
The regular contract period expires on May 31 and the players union, Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), have been working with Football Federation Australia (FFA) on a pay deal to cover the extended season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under an initial financial model put forward by FFA, the governing body intended to keep almost all of the $12 million broadcast payment it received from Fox Sports last month.
Normally each of the 11 clubs receive a $800,000 quarterly grant from FFA to cover wages. But under the proposal they would receive a combined figure of less than $2 million.
I was at mum's for Mother's Day and had a bit of a dull pain in the belly that quickly turned into a sharp pain.
- - Jason Hoffman
Players, many who have been on the Job Keeper allowance, would face up to an 80 per cent pay cut for the final two months of this season.
Hoffman and Lachlan Jackson are the Jets' delegates on the PFA. Teammates Nigel Boogaard, Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Glen Moss are on the PFA executive.
"FFA have made an offer to finish the final part of the season at a certain rate," Hoffman said. "It's now up to the PFA on behalf of the players to respond and try to negotiate something we believe is a little fairer.
"We understand that the game and sport in general has been crippled financially by the pandemic. The players are pretty understanding and are open to what's right for the game.
"The message from the players across the league, not just our club, is that we want to get back ASAP.
"We are willing to negotiate. The waiting game is frustrating when you see other codes across the nation going back. We want to come to an agreement with all stakeholders to return to play, which is in the best interests of everyone. We want everyone to get a fair deal."
Hoffman has spent the past two weeks on light duties after become ill with appendicitis.
"I was at mum's for Mother's Day and had a bit of a dull pain in the belly that quickly turned into a sharp pain," the 31-year-old said. "I was in agony for about an hour before we decided I better go to the hospital.
"I had an ultrasound and by the time I got back to the bed in emergency, the surgeon was waiting to tell me my appendix had burst I was going in for surgery.
"It was a bit of a shock. I was lucky that I went to the hospital pretty early. I was operated on that night and went home two days later."
Hoffman was forced to rest and recuperate after the operation and was glad to be back running on Monday.
"There was no exercise or lifting for two weeks," Hoffman said. "It was nice to be able to get back out and have a run, even if it was raining. I should be right to join the group if we go back on June 15.
"Strength and conditioning coach Brice Johnson has sent programs to us. He wants to make sure that when we get the green light, everyone is in good shape.
"The boys are biting at the bit. One of the reasons we love what we do is because we get to see our mates day in day out. To get back as a team is what we all long for."
