Newcastle Jets pounce on Olyroo O'Toole

Olyroos defender Connor O'Toole is set for a fresh A-League start at the Newcastle Jets after failing to nail down a first team spot under Robbie Fowler at Brisbane Roar.

Connor O'Toole in action for the Olyroos Source: Getty Images

It’s understood the 22-year-old left-back has been offered a two-and-a-half year deal by the competition strugglers, with Brisbane prepared to sanction an imminent move.

After 29 appearances in the previous two seasons, it’s been a frustrating campaign for O’Toole, with just two starts under Fowler’s reign and the return of Corey Brown from Melbourne Victory pushing him even further down the pecking order at Suncorp Stadium.

Jets CEO Lawrie McKinna views O’Toole as a long-term solution at left-back with Northern Irishman Bobby Burns - on loan from Scottish Premiership outfit Hearts - due to depart at season’s end.

O’Toole is on his way back from Thailand where he was part of the Olyroos squad which clinched qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Games after last night’s 1-0 third-place playoff victory against Uzbekistan at the AFC U-23 Championship.

He was, however, unable to grab any match minutes as he played understudy to the more experienced Alex Gersbach.

The Jets, meanwhile, are expected to announce former Vancouver Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson as Ernie Merrick’s successor in the coming days.

The Welshman has spent time with the club’s hierarchy over the past week, and it’s believed terms have been agreed for him to take charge of the A-League’s bottom club.