Having just captured young AIS striker Jason Naidovski on a two-year deal, the Jets supremo is now hungry to add some experience to his backline.

Milicevic fits the bill as van Egmond bids to fill the considerable hole created by Andrew Durante’s departure to Wellington Phoenix.

The former Olyroo captain is a free agent having left the Victory by mutual consent with a year still to run on his contract.

Van Egmond told the Newcastle Herald: “Something has gone wrong down in Melbourne for whatever reason.

“I had a good chat with him and we are looking to bring him up to Newcastle so he can see what we are about.

“It is a different football environment we have here. He has been dogged by injury with his knee but is feeling a lot better with it."

He added: "I think the important thing is to find out what Ljubo wants to do.

“When you see a situation where the A-League-based Socceroos get together and his name is not there, you sit back and wonder.

“Here is a player who has captained Berne, got to the quarter-finals of the Champions League and is only 27 years of age. He is a tremendous talent."

Only yesterday Jets captain Jade North told au.fourfourtwo.com that Milicevic would be a tremendous asset for the Jets. He said: "It would be fantastic, a great leader."

The Jets are also talking to Italian-based defender Adrian Madaschi, but appear to have missed out on Crystal Palace-bound Ruben Zadkovich.

As for Naidovski, he has scored eight goals for the AIS in the Victorian Premier League and will add to the club’s firepower options.

Only Joel Griffiths found the net regularly last season with scant scoring support from his teammates.