Nikolai Topor-Stanley's future at the Newcastle Jets remains uncertain, after the club secured five defenders for their roster and left the Canberra product's name off their list.
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The 36-year-old took home the club's top awards last month - the A-League Player of the Year and the Members' A-League Player of the Year - marking the third time the defender has won the POTY at the Jets.
Despite 344 games under his belt - 200 of which came for the Jets - the second most-capped player in A-League history remains off contract.
Last month he told The Canberra Times he hoped to remain at the Jets and talks were continuing.
However, the club has since signed Socceroos defender Matt Jurman, Adelaide United's Jordan Elsey, Perth Glory's Riley Warland, Western Sydney Wanderers product Mohamed Al-Taay and James Donachie, who will return from loan with Indian Super League side FC Goa.
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All five are capable of playing in central defence next season under new 41-year-old head coach Arthur Papas, who is fresh off a number of years coaching in Japan.
Topor-Stanley has already ruled out any talk of retirement, after teammate Nigel Boogaard called time on his playing career at the conclusion of the season. However, the former Tuggeranong player remains off the Jets' defensive list for now.
Newcastle Jets squad 2021/22
The squad, so far:
- Jordan Elsey (new signing)
- Johnny Koutroumbis
- Cameron Devlin (new signing)
- Beka Mikeltadze (new signing)
- Jordan O'Doherty (re-signed)
- Matt Jurman (new signing)
- Jason Hoffman
- Jack Duncan
- Dane Ingham (new signing)
- Ben Kantarovski
- Lucas Mauragis
- Valentino Yuel
- Angus Thurgate
- Connor O'Toole
- Riley Warland (new signing)
- Kosta Petratos
- Joe Champness (returns from loan)
- James Donachie (returns from loan)
- Noah James (returns from loan)
- Archie Goodwin
- Blake Archibold
- Mohamed Al-Taay (new signing)