Jets owner Nathan Tinkler is in negotiations with Crouch’s management about having a stint in Australia should he fail to earn another contract in the English Premier League.

It’s understood another former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey, who played for the Jets for two seasons before returning home, has been seconded by Tinkler to personally help deliver Crouch to Newcastle.

The FFA could also be a factor in negotiations by providing financial support to assist Tinkler in getting a potential deal across the line.

“I’ve spoken to Crouch’s management and we’re trying to talk him into coming out to Australia with his family for a playing stint at the Jets,” Tinkler told The Sunday Telegraph.

“The FFA and Fox want to see some big names out here playing in the A-League and he certainly fits the bill.
“I’ve spoken to Emile and he’s keen to help if he can. We’ll see what happens.”

Tinkler, who mingled with fans in the crowd on Friday night at Hunter Stadium during his side’s 4-3 loss to Sydney, is desperate to sign a big name striker as part of his plans to rebuild the club.
“I’m in there doing my best. It’s probably 50:50 at this stage. Whether he lands another EPL contract will have a big bearing on it obviously. His management hasn’t said he is not interested.”

Currently playing for Stoke City in the EPL, 34 year old Crouch made 42 appearances for England, scoring 22 goals and was involved in two World Cups.

He has spent the past 15 seasons in the EPL with stints at Portsmouth, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Southhampton and also had three successful seasons at Liverpool.

He signed a four-year contract with Stoke in 2011.

Whether he manages to pull it off or not, Tinkler’s push to sign a player of like Crouch is a clear indication of his commitment to lifting the Jets out of the A-League doldrums.

Currently in a two-way battle with Western Sydney to avoid the wooden spoon, it will be the fifth season in a row the club has failed to reach the play-offs.

Poor early-season results prompted Tinkler and coach Phil Stubbins to cut a swathe through the playing and coaching ranks mid-season with five senior players sacked and three coaching staff also shown the door.

“It was clear to me when I made the decision to come in as chairman of the club that we needed a complete overhaul of the playing ranks and a change of culture which is why we took the steps we took, ”Tinkler said.

“We have to rebuild the club which takes time but that’s what we’re endeavouring to do.”