Soccer: Coveny Jets back in

Vaughn Coveny (left) celebrates his debut goal for the Newcastle Jets against Perth last month. Paul Kane / Getty Images

There were plenty of nibbles but Vaughn Coveny has finally hooked himself an A-League contract - albeit a short-term one - and has made an immediate impression.

Sounded out but not wanted by the New Zealand Knights and offered a one-year deal by Melbourne (he wanted a two-year deal but they were concerned about his age), the 33-year-old All Whites striker has been signed on a four-week deal with the high-flying Newcastle Jets. On his debut, Coveny scored the winner in the 1-0 win over Perth Glory last weekend.

He's hoping that might lead to a longer-term deal or, at least, a contract with one of the seven other A-League clubs. He's not quite ready to call time on a career that saw him make his international debut against Fiji in 1992.

Coveny was one of the surprise absentees from the new league but Newcastle advised him to keep fit throughout the A-League season. When defender Craig Deans went on the injured list, Jets coach Richard Money had no hesitation in recruiting the Kiwi.

It's not as if clubs don't know what Coveny's capable of - he's one of only five players to have scored more than 100 top-flight goals in the Australian league during his nine years with South Melbourne and jointly holds the record for most international goals (28) for the All Whites with John 'Jock' Newall.

"I'm putting myself out out there for other clubs to look at so hopefully something comes of it," Coveny said optimistically from his temporary base in Newcastle.

He had been hopeful something might have come from a meeting with John Adshead earlier in the year. In a curious turn of events, the Knights boss ventured to Melbourne to watch Coveny in action and met up with the player after a Victorian Premier League match.

"We had a chat after the game and he asked if I was interested [in playing for the Knights this season]," Coveny explained. "I said, 'yes' and then never heard back from him.

"As a Kiwi I have a soft spot for the Knights and if it was right for me there is no question I would come back to New Zealand [to play]."

Coveny is a renowned target man whose height (1.9m) and pace can make life tricky for opposition defences. With the Knights promising to make a number of personnel changes for next season, Coveny's name could be on the shopping list.

The former Wellingtonian is still very much a part of the All Whites mix and played his 71st international in June in the 1-0 loss to Australia in London. Along with Ryan Nelsen, Danny Hay and Ivan Vicelich, Coveny is considered a member of the experienced spine of the side coach Ricki Herbert is trying to build his young side around - at least he would be building if there were some games for the All Whites to play.

The national side's inactivity has been a cause of frustration for the veteran striker who, while not obsessed with breaking the goalscoring record, would undoubtedly love to find the back of the net at least once more for his country.

"I am proud of what I have achieved already in my career and if I get another opportunity to play another game I would never turn it down," he said. "It would be a great honour if I can get the record but, if not, I've had a good career and I have no regrets about what I've done."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY