Newcastle Jets officials are in the UK to tie up the deal with the veteran hitman and today coach Gary van Egmond said he thought the deal would probably be complete by the weekend if it does happen.

But the Jets are set to ensure Heskey is fit for the job as club marquee after their experience with Jason Culina who signed for the club while injured - and was then ruled out for a whole year by injury.

"We've just seen Alessandro Del Piero sign for Sydney at 37," said van Egmond today after a closed session friendly between the Jets and Central Coast Mariners.

"If you are looking at someone at 34, there is no issue with age. It doesn't matter about age so much, it's more about how sound they are and where their body is - that's the most important thing.

"It's more about ensuring they are sound. There are players at 27/28 who for one reason or another have had terrible injuries over the course of their career who just can't play any more.

"it just depends on the individual. We have a strict policy with regards to that (medicals). It would be the case that anyone coming into the club would need to go through that."

However he admitted he was relishing the prospect of adding a player like Heskey to his squad list for the new season.

"You are really excited if you can bring someone like Emile Heskey to your football club, someone with that stature and quality," he said.

"We are looking for a player to play upfront. We've always been looking for a number 9 and it's fallen through a couple of times.

"I don't know if it's going to happen but it's a case where we've seen what's happened with Del Piero and if Emile Heskey was to happen with us...

"That's the challenge for every A-League club, to look to see if they can get a marquee of that stature.

"I haven't spoken to Nathan Tinkler about this but if we were to get a player of that stature, everyone involved in the club who has input would be happy with the outcome."

Van Egmond now expects the deal to go through quickly - or else be abandoned by the weekend.

He added: "Usually if things do happen, they happen pretty swiftly. I would imagine that it will be one or two days maximum until we get an outcome.

"In that respect, I would suggest that's what could occur. If you see something drag on, from my experience, it will never eventuate."