Newcastle Jets are hoping to bring former star striker Joel Griffiths back to the club on a loan deal.
The 31-year old former Johnny Warren Medallist and A-League Golden Boot winner is still contracted to Chinese Super League club Beijing Guoan and cannot join the Jets unless it is on an injury replacement scenario.
Jets executive chairman Ken Edwards told the Newcastle Herald that the club was looking into it but at this stage a loan looked unlikely.
"Yes, we have been exploring options with Joel but that hasn't come to anything yet," Edwards said.
Griffiths has so far enjoyed two successful seasons with Beijing, scoring a total of 17 goals in 48 appearances, and helped clinch the 2009 CSL title.
Joel's younger brother, Ryan, made his A-League debut with the Jets last night after returning home from Beijing last month.