NEWCASTLE Jets have rewarded keeper Jack Duncan for a break-out season by upgrading and extending his contract until May 2019.
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The 24-year-old has returned from a holiday in Europe and is expected to put pen to paper on Tuesday.
The Perth-born gloveman, who is in his second stint with the Jets after making his debut in 2011, had a year to run on his current deal.
“It is a sign of faith in Jack and a reward,” Jets chief executive officer Lawrie McKinna said. “We were going to offer him the extension under [previous coach] Mark Jones. When Ernie came in everything was put on hold. Ernie has watched a lot of games and had no hesitation going forward with it.”
Merrick arrives back on Thursday from the United Kingdom, where he has been since his appointment, and will meet with Jets staff on Friday. A two-time championship winner at Melbourne Victory, Merrick has brought pre-season training forward by four days to June 22. They host Chile side Audax Italian on July 8.
“Ernie is very big on preparation,” McKinna said. “He jets into Sydney Thursday night and will be up here first thing Friday to meet with the football and medical staff.”
A priority will be filling the final four places on the Jets’ roster.
Duncan, after returning from an underwhelming year in Denmark at Randers, started in 25 games for the Jets last season and made a series of spectacular saves.
His only previous A-League experience was a game for the Jets in 2011 and seven appearances for Perth in 2014-15.
“Jack got his nose in front of Ben Kennedy in the last couple of weeks of the pre-season and then Ben did his Achilles,” McKinna said.
“During the season he just got better. His confidence grew and he worked really hard.”
Duncan faces competition next season from New Zealand keeper Glen Moss, who signed a one-year deal earlier this month.
“For a long period last season Jack only had youth team keeper Pierce Clarke pushing him,” McKinna said.
“Glen Moss has played 200-odd games and has not come here for a holiday. He wants to be here long term.
“At 34, he is still young for a goal keeper. He will make Jack a better goalkeeper, having someone the quality of Glen Moss pushing him.
“Two of them going for the one spot will create a healthy environment. That can only be good for the club.”
Moss is currently in camp in Auckland with the New Zealand side ahead of the Confederations Cup in Russia, which starts on June 17. He is expected to be the All Whites No.2 custodian.
Meanwhile, former Jet Mark Birighitti was one of four keepers chosen in a 30-man Socceroos squad for the World Cup Qualifier against Saudi Arabia at Adelaide Oval on June 8.
Birighitti is midway through a two-year deal at Premier League strugglers Swansea but is yet to make an appearance for the Swans.
The squad will be trimmed to 23 players next Wednesday before moving onto Melbourne for the friendly with Brazil on June 13 and then Russia for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Australia will face Germany, Cameroon and Chile in the group stage in Russia.
