Jets miss out as Club Brugge order McGree back to Belgium

Olyroos attacker Riley McGree is set to be recalled by Club Brugge next season, scuppering Newcastle Jets’ hopes of sealing a return of the scorpion king.

Source: AAP

The gifted 20-year-old, who joined the Belgium heavyweights on a four-year deal from Adelaide United in 2017, is close to completing a season-long loan at Melbourne City, where he has been in and out of Warren Joyce’s starting line-ups.

The Jets have been in deep discussions with McGree’s representatives over a second coming for the player whose stunning scorpion goal in last season’s finals series against Melbourne City helped the them reach the A-League decider, turning him into an instant legend on the Hunter.

However, they have been informed that McGree has now been instructed to decamp for pre-season training in Belgium - where fellow Aussie Danny Vukovic also plies his trade for rival club Genk.

It’s likely McGree will be further assessed by head coach Ivan Leko before, in all likelihood, being sent out on loan again. This time to a club in Europe.

It’s a blow for the Jets, who had placed McGree at the top of their wish list for next season as they begin a rebuilding process after announcing six squad departures earlier this week.

McGree has amassed 26 appearances for City heading in the A-League finals series - nine of which were off the bench.

He has bagged seven goals - four of which have come in his last four games - plus four assists.

And he can further varnish his reputation when he lines up for City against former club Adelaide in Sunday’s elimination final at Coopers Stadium.

Many observers believe City could have enjoyed an even greater return from him in the regular season had Joyce placed greater faith in the pacy and penetrative youngster, who is happier operating centrally rather than as a winger.